Click here to see a web page  "Carved in the Wall"

The Viet Nam War Memorial

located at Big Spring Texas on the former site of  Webb Air Force Base,
is a belated attempt to say to the most unappreciated group of fighters
in our nations history, "Thank you -- we remember!"

(Click any picture below to see it greatly enlarged)

  Not Forgotten.jpg (64502 bytes)  
The purpose of the Viet Nam War Memorial is contained in the words at the bottom of this monolith, "You Are Not Forgotten".  The monolith is for the Pow's/Mia's, but the entire memorial area is also for all veterans of that war.

 

  Helo F4 Tank.jpg (55801 bytes)  
The Viet Nam War Memorial is located at the East end of the old Webb Air Force Base, or for those of us who were here far enough back, the Big Spring Bombardier School.  It is tucked under the Northwest corner of Scenic Mountain, and can be seen from the road at the top of  that mesa quite clearly.  Approaching it from the North by car, one's first view is of this collection of three war machines from the Viet Nam era.  We will have a look at each of them.

 

Helow from 8 o'clock.jpg (50497 bytes) F4 to rt..jpg (60305 bytes) Tank.jpg (63528 bytes)
The helicopter is a UH-1H "Dust Off".  The F4-E Phantom jet was perhaps the most used plane in the war.  The tank will be further identified when the information is supplied to us.

 

 

Chapel and Pavillion.jpg (70713 bytes) The Cobra pictured (9Dec02) is a Viet Nam vet, as are Jackie Tibbets and Jerry Groves

 The committee is seeking funds to restore this latest acquisition.

 CobraVets600.JPG (80877 bytes)
Looking Northeast from the three war machines, one can see the base of Scenic Mountain on the right, with some hint of downtown Big Spring lying in its valley under a beautiful Texas sky.  The chapel and flag pavillion can be seen in perspective in this picture. We will see them closer just below.  Remember that a click will greatly enlarge this view if you choose.

 

Chapel.jpg (87893 bytes) The war machines remind the living veterans of what it was like.  This chapel and pavillion remind us all to remember those who did not return. Flag Pavillion.jpg (58284 bytes)
In the center picture in the table just below, note the relative position of the chapel to the pavillion entrance, where the pictured monument is located.

 

Viet Map close.jpg (101529 bytes)

 POW MIA.jpg (59209 bytes) Viet map.jpg (68777 bytes)
The monument has a map of Viet Nam on the side facing the visitor as he approaches the pavillion.  The back side, shown center (above), is the same side pictured in the closeup at the top of this page..  The closeup of the map will be larger yet if one clicks this thumbnail.  Or do you prefer to forget such details? The memories must be bittersweet, at best.

 

Wall 1.jpg (56960 bytes) Chapel.jpg (87893 bytes) Wall 2.jpg (55124 bytes)
Looking Southeast toward Scenic Mountain in the center picture, the exterior of the chapel  is shown.  The ends are open, and the two walls are pictured to see a representation.  Even enlarging the thumbnail will not give you a complete view.  Some living and some who died are pictured here.  Also some from Big Spring, and some from elsewhere who served at Webb are pictured.

 

at a distance.jpg (64882 bytes) F4 going.jpg (56930 bytes) Helo Silhouette.jpg (57759 bytes)
Tank and two.jpg (67086 bytes) F4 over Tank.jpg (8409 bytes) Tank in front.jpg (53817 bytes)
F4 Belly.jpg (12935 bytes)This collection of pictures needs no explanation, since they are additional views of the scenes above.

They just seemed too good to waste.

This silhouetted belly of the F4 against the incredible Texas clouds (complete with silver lining), is reason enough to include the group.

This pictorial presentation has been done without benefit of an interview with any one of the several men, most of whom live in Big Spring, who put this memorial into place.  Perhaps time will be found soon to remedy that situation.