By:Nick Buglione
Casualties of a war many would like to forget, these servicemen and women have for years gone without a fitting tribute in Eisenhower Park-s Veterans Plaza, a tranquil sanctuary that marks almost every American war and honors Nassau County residents who served in nearly every branch of the military.
Vietnam veterans from around the county, many of whom were spat on and called baby killers when they returned from that exhausting war, gathered last Wednesday to unveil plans for a memorial in Veterans Plaza that they say is years overdue.
After coming home from Vietnam, I experienced the wrath of this nation and the way they felt toward our veterans, said Paul Masi, a Bethpage resident and the president of the Nassau County chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America, one of the organizations that was instrumental in promoting the idea of a memorial. This will be our legacy.
Designed by architects Shannon Diamondstein, Hui Min Chin and Joan Benefiel, the memorial-s centerpiece will feature a 12-foot sculpture of two clasped hands, symbolizing the unique bond among Vietnam veterans. It shows that there-s a togetherness, a brotherhood, said Carl Johnson of West Hempstead, vice president of the veterans group. We only had each other over there, and we still have each other now.
Embraced in the sculpted palms will be wind chimes in the shape of dog tags. A series of stone platforms around the sculpture will be etched with scenes of soldiers and their equipment. Water will fall from the tallest stone and create a reflective film over the etchings. On the surrounding ground will be a map of Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos, where the war was fought, and inlaid bronze discs will mark the locations of major battles.
This memorial will be a lasting reminder of their courage and sacrifice, said Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi, who joined the veterans in the unveiling. Particularly during these times, it is important that we remember the strength of these brave men and women.
Lt. Col. Greg Habel, of the 1st Marine Corps District in Garden City, said that paying homage to veterans is one of the best ways residents can show their support for the troops currently serving overseas. I-ve been in few places in this country where veterans are treated with such respect as they are in Nassau County, Habel said.
Though county officials hope the memorial will be completed by Veterans Day 2005, a great deal of money must be raised to fund its construction. The memorial will cost approximately $180,000, and the Nassau County Veterans Monument Fund, the organization heading up the fund-raising effort, is about $143,000 short. We-re still missing a very important piece of our Veterans Plaza, Suozzi said. No matter what, we-re raising the money.
Other elected officials present pledged that they would see the project come to fruition. When you-re driving across the country, you see monuments to World War I and World War II, and rightfully so, said Nassau County Legislator Dennis Dunne (R-Levittown), who served in the Marines during Vietnam. Why not Vietnam? Why not here?
Anyone interested in making a donation to the memorial can send a check, made out to the Nassau County Veterans Monument Fund, to P.O. Box 7717 Freeport, NY 11520. Donors should indicate that the money is for the Vietnam memorial.
When I came home from Vietnam it was hard, said Joe Ingino, who served in the Army there in 1969 and 1970. Knowing that your own country was not behind you 100 percent really hurt a lot. It-s a feeling that will be etched in my heart for the rest of my life.
Comments about this story? NBuglione@liherald.com or (516) 569-4000 ext. 236.
