Veterans received a memorable salute at the year’s first Good Sam Rally, presented by DISH, in Phoenix and we’re also recognizing these amazing men and women during the Louisville Rally, also presented by DISH.
Veterans are invited to don their uniforms and be honored as they march with their service branch in a special procession. During their stay at the Rally, veterans — and anyone wishing to visit a remarkable memorial — can head about 50 miles east of Louisville to experience Kentucky’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Overlooking the state capital of Frankfort, the memorial is both a solemn tribute to and celebration of those who gave their lives and served during the Vietnam War.
Created in the form of a sundial, the granite memorial displays the names of the 1,103 Kentuckians killed in Vietnam between 1962 and 1975, with the placement of each man’s name fixed mathematically so that the tip of the gnomon shadow touches it on the anniversary of his death. The 23 names of those missing in action were placed behind the gnomon, where the shadow will never fall.
The dial face identifies one hour for each year of the war, 1962-1975, as the 14-foot-tall, 24-foot-long gnomon marks the passage of time. Flagpoles bearing the red, white and blue flank each side of the True North line.
Designer Helm Roberts, a Kentucky architect and Naval aviator, conceived this memorial to be a place of contemplation, where visitors can reflect on the Vietnam War. A meditation area looks down on the plaza and provides a view of the state capitol building. The inner circle of the 7,090-square-foot plaza is marked with words from the Book of Ecclesiastes: “For everything there is a season … a time to kill, and a time to heal … a time for war, and a time for peace.”
The Commonwealth of Kentucky donated the site in 1987, and the memorial was dedicated November 12, 1988, with funds for construction provided through private donations.
If you’re interested in attending this optional tour as part of the Louisville Rally, click here to learn more about this event.
Master Chief Al Murray
I attended the Rally in Louisville and participated in the Veterans salute on Sunday morning. It was truly an honor to be counted among so many great Americans. There were tears of joy, tears of pride and tears of remembrance among both the veterans and the crowd who clapped at our every step. I cried also because of my 28 years of Navy service. Thank you Dish Network for sponsoring this and so much of teh Rally. God Bless America, Dish and Good sam.
Good Sam Says: Thank you for your Service!!