Large area adjoins public park near downtown Mt Pleasant Michigan VietNam Memorial
Island Park, North Main St
Mt Pleasant, Isabella County
or are missing in action"
Commissioned by
VietNam Veterans of America, Chapter 438
These men and women were my contemporaries, children of the post WW II baby boom. The roster of lost personnel spreads across sixteen bronze panels. The memorial is dedicated not only to their service and sacrifice, but stands as a remembrance of their ties to the communities of the State of Michigan. I've photographed the names of these fallen at many places across Michigan, but it is here that the enormity of the loss begins to build and the scope of the war comes into perspective. It is here that we completely understand how much our Michigan communites gave to the nation during this war. We sent our brothers and sisters off to another foreign land and they did not return. We will forever miss them.
The memorial is located just four blocks off M-20, at Island Park. Signage from most major streets will point visitors in the right direction. This is a nice place to plan a picnic or relaxing afternoon by the river.
Although erected by the local chapter of Vietnam Veterans of America, they no longer maintains the memorial. The chapter membership dwindled and a community service group known as Forgotten Eagles now takes care of the area; keeping the grass cut, planting flowers in spring and replacing flags as necessary.
