Inland NW Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Spokane, WA Photo: KGilb.
Perched at the top of a grassy hillock, surrounded by evergreen trees, is a bronze statue of a young American soldier. He sits on a rock, helmet cradled on his thigh, and gazes off into the distance. In his hand is a letter from home.
The inscription at the base of the statue reads simply: “To those who served and those who gave their lives and are now in the hands of God.”
The Inland Northwest Vietnam Veterans Memorial was dedicated on November 10, 1985. (for a close-up shot, please check out this photo by Carol Groenen) The statue can be found overlooking the Russian Meadow in Spokane’s Riverfront Park. But wherever you may find yourself this Veteran’s Day, please take a moment to remember the sacrifices made by all of our men and women in uniform.
**Special Note: The poignant image of the young American soldier captured in Spokane’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial was created by Deborah Copenhaver-Fellows. Deborah grew up on a ranch in northern Idaho and lived for a time in Spokane WA before moving to Sonoita AZ.