The Adirondack Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Adirondack Community College
in Queensbury, was built in 1985 with contributions solicited by Chapter 79.
The Monument is located in front of the Science building on ACC's campus.
The chapter created a committee called The Adirondack Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Committee.
The Members were:
Ned Foote - Chairman
Robin Temple
Brian Burkhardt
Mike Leombruno
Richard Tarantino
Jim Brown
Charlie Guatta
Dan Imrie
Jim Giles
Ned Tripp
Brian Lee
Peter Mastrangelo
Sam Hall
Brian Cook
There can be no doubt that the war in Vietnam was the most unpopular "conflict"
our country has ever experienced. The legacy we are left with is 58,000 young Americans killed, and over 300,000 wounded. There were millions affected ( civilians as well as military ) by this war. Our country then, and now, has had a very difficult time dealing with the role we played in Vietnam. No one can deny that the conscience of America has been wounded and permanently scarred.
Our area, Geographically , paid a very high price in term of loss of life. To date, we have identified 55 Men from our area who perished as a result of service in Vietnam.
Local recognition of this magitude of these men as well as those who returned home has never happened. In this vain, Chapter 79 formed a committee comprised of both members, and non- members with the goal of erecting a memorial. We are convinced that this act will assist the citizens of our community in a purging of social conscience
and also finally, symbolize a "Welcome Home " to the Vietnam era Veteran and the 55 Men that made the ultimate sacrifice. Additionally, we hope this monument will stand as a constant reminder of the futility of war and that it might play it's part in the prevention of future wars.
THE MONUMENT IS MANUFACTURED FROM SELECT JET BLACK GRANITE FROM ZIMBABWAE , AFRICA.
It consists of a center tablet with "wing" sections on either side.
The memorial was designed to reflect characteristics of our generation rather than the traditional "War Memorial" statue.There is a definite link between our memorial and the Washington Vietnam Veteran's memorial which is intentional.
At the top of the center tablet there are five stars engraved to represent each branch of the military. ARMY, MARINES, NAVY, AIR FORCE, and COAST GUARD.
Below the stars an inscription reads..VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL.
Underneath this is a map of Vietnam engraved in the Granite. At the bottom of the center tablet is the likeness of a living soldier leaning over a gravestone; the latter representing his fallen comrade.
The 55 names we have compiled belong to Vietnam casualities from WARREN,WASHINGTON,and ESSEX Counties, however, we have included a few names from boarder towns such as CORINTH,KEESEVILLE, and AUSABLE FORKS; towns that are serviced by our chapter.
The committee, after much deliberation, chose Adirondack Community College as the best site for the Monument. The college granted approval, and the monument was erected with donations from the chapters fundraising campaign.
Lee Memorials which was from South Glens Falls, offered the chapter a reduced rate for the work , The stone was cut in Barre Vermont, and the Monument was erected in 1985 with the dedication taking place on November 2nd, 1985 at 1 PM.
The following are Newsletters, Pictures, and other memorabilia associated with the construction and dedication of the Monument. As well as the names of all our fallen "Brothers" that are engraved on it.....
Also included is the program schedule for the 20th anniversary celebration of the Memorial.
Click on thumbnails to view the slideshow
ARMY - WILLIAM AIKEN - D.O.B. - 2/1/50 age 20 - from Whitehall. Married.
Rank - E5 / KIA- 11/13/70 - small arms fire
ARMY - LEONARD P. ALLEN - D.O.B. - 6/6/50 age 20 - from Fort Ann. Single.
KIA - 11/14/70 - small arms fire
NAVY - FLOYD E. ANDRUS III - D.O.B. - 9/18/47 age 22 - from Greenfield Center.
Single. Rank E5 / KIA - 3/16/70 - Crash on Land
MARINE CORPS - ALBERT B. AYRES - D.O.B. - 1/6/32 age 35 - from Glens Falls .
Married. Rank - O-4 / KIA - 2/24/67 - Helicopter Crash
ARMY - RAE BAILEY - D.O.B. - 3/14/52 - age 18 - from Clemons. Single.
Rank - E5 / KIA - 10/18/70 - Air Loss
ARMY - THOMAS A. BAIN - D.O.B. - 4/24/46 - age 18 from Putnam Station. Single
Rank E3 / KIA - 10/7/64 - Helicopter loss
NAVY - MICHAEL D. BAKER - D.O.B. - 4/3/51 age 21 - FROM Fort Henry. Single
Rank - E3 / KIA - 4/23/72 - Vehicle Crash
U.S.A.F. - MICHAEL BELAMOTI - D.O.B. - 6/30/33 age 40 - from South Glens Falls - Married. Rank - Major O-4 / KIA - 9/24/73 - Air Loss over Land
ARMY - CLARK E. BARLOW - D.O.B. - 5/4/41 - age 26 - from South Glens Falls.
Single. Rank - E6 / KIA - 4/22/68 - Explosive Device
MARINE CORPS - ROBERT O. BARRY - D.O.B. - 7/16/43 age 23 - from Glens Falls.
Single. Rank - E3 / KIA - 5/16/67 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - JAMES J. BATES - D.O.B. - 3/3/47 - from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank - E4 - KIA - 3/19/67 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - HOWARD E. BEAGLE - D.O.B. - 1/31/4 - age 21 - from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank - E5 / KIA - 4/10/67 - Small Arms Fire - DISTINGUISHED SERVICE CROSS
NAVY - VINCENT C. BOURDEAU - D.O.B. - 7/16/47 age 19 - from Hudson Falls.
Single. Rank - E2 - Casualty - 10/4/66 - Drowning
Marine Corps - RODERICK W. BREAULT - D.O.B. - 3/28/47 age 20 - from Hudson Falls.
Single. Rank - E4 / KIA - 11/29/67 - Explosive device
MARINE CORPS - ARTHUR BRUMAGEN - D.O.B. - 7/10/29 - age 37. From Glens Falls.
Married. Rank - O-1 / KIA - 11/24/66 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - JOSEPH E. BRUNELLE - D.O.B. - 8/18/44 - age 21 . Single.
From Washington N.Y. - Rank E3 - Casualty 8/24/65 - Air Loss at Sea
ARMY - PETER M. BUTLER - D.O.B. - 9/5/43 - age 24 - from Glens Falls. Married.
Rank E4 / KIA - 1/31/68 - Small Arms Fire
Navy - MICHAEL Q. CARR - D.O.B. - 3/20/47 - age 20 - from Hudson Falls. Single.
Rank E4 / KIA - 7/23/67 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - JAMES W. COLLIER - D.O.B. - 12/20/ 46 from Ft. Edward. Single. age 20.
Rank E3 / KIA - 4/14/67 - Frag Wounds
ARMY - JOSEPH L. COLOTTI - D.O.B. - 2/3/48 - age 19 from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank E4 / Casualty - 4/19/67 - Disease
ARMY - EDWARD W. CORCORAN - age 20 - from Sunnyside - Married. Rank SP4.
KIA - 4/23/71 - Explosive Device
MARINE CORPS - BRUCE N. COLSON - D.O.B. - 2/16/49 - age 19 from Corinth.
Single. Rank - E2 / KIA - 8/5/68 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - GENE F. COLVIN - D.O.B. - 1/1/47 - age 20 from Ft. Edward. Married.
Rank E5 / KIA - 7/1/67 - Explosive Device
MARINE CORPS - MICHAEL E. CONROY - D.O.B. - 4/8/ from Upper Jay. Age 18.
Single. Rank - E3 / Casualty - 9/30/67 - Accidental Homicide
ARMY - ROY K. CORLEW - D.O.B. - 8/9/44 - age 23 - from Granville. Married.
Rank - WO - W1 / Casualty - 7/12/68 - Air Loss
ARMY - JOSEPH M. D'ANGELICO - D.O.B. - 9/4/48 - age 21 - from Ft. Edward . Single.
Rank E4 / KIA - 1/2/70 - Frag Wounds
ARMY - JOHN P. DRAKE - D.O.B. - 10/13/45 - age 18 - from Westport. Single.
Rank E3 / KIA - 7/21/64 - Accidental Self Destruct
ARMY - FREDERICK H. FLYNN - D.O.B. - 12/12/47 - age 20 - from Warrensburg. Single.
Rank E5 / KIA 10/1/68 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - CHARLES E. GAY - D.O.B. - 12/6/47 - age 21 - from Westpory. Married.
Rank E5 / Casualty 12/15/68 - non Hostile Air Loss
ARMY - OWEN D. GOODSELL - D.O.B. - 7/23/41 age 25 from Ft. Edward. Single.
Rank E4 / KIA - 1/24/67 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - GERALD HAMMOND - D.O.B. - 2/3/48 - age 20 from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank E3 / KIA - 10/5/68 - Rocket Motor
ARMY - DENNIS E. HIGGINS - D.O.B. - 4/15/44 - age 21 from Ft. Edward. Married.
Rank E4 / KIA - 1/19/66 - Rocket Motor
ARMY - DALE A. HILL - D.O.B. -10/31/47 - age 20 from Ft. Ann. Single.
Rank E3 / KIA - 5/21/68 - Explosive Device
ARMY - CHARLES L. HOWE - D.O.B. - 2/11/47 - age 21 from Granville. Single.
Rank E4 / KIA - 3/26/68 - Frag Wounds
NAVY Corpsman - DAVID L. JARVIS - D.O.B. - 7/17/45 - age 22 from Jamesville.
Married. Rank E4 / KIA - 1/2/68 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - JOSEPH R. LAROSE - D.O.B. - 10/4/47 - age 19 from Hadlock Pond.
Single. Rank E2 / KIA - 5/3/67 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - CARL F. MACEY Jr. - D.O.B. - 12/31/47 - age 20 from Saranac Lake.
Single. Rank E3 / Casualty - 12/31/67 - Accidental Homicide
ARMY - WILLIAM J. McCARTY - D.O.B. - 5/22/42 - age 25 from Ft. Edward. Single.
Rank - O2 / KIA - 10/12/67 - Frag Wounds
MARINE CORPS - NORMAN A. MEAD - D.O.B. - 10/6/46 - age 20 from Granville.
Single. Rank E4 / KIA - 7/19/67 - Explosive Device
ARMY - CARL L. MERCHANT - D.O.B. - 9/11/43 - age 24 from Corinth. Single.
Rank E5 / KIA - 3/18/68 - Frag Wounds
MARINE CORPS - HENRY A. MITCHELL - D.O.B. - 10/11/49 - age 18 from Keeseville.
Single. Rank E3 / KIA - 7/15/68 - Ground Casualty
ARMY - WILLIAM W. MORROW - D.O.B. - 7/17/49 - age 20 from Ausable Chasm.
Single. Rank E5 / Casualty - 6/22/70 - Non Hostile
ARMY - JOSEPH T. MURPHY - D.O.B. - 8/23/49 - age 19 from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank E3 / KIA - 5/14/69 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - BERNARD G. OLIVER - D.O.B. 5/25/50 - age 18 from Willsboro.
Single. Rank E2 / KIA - 4/21/69 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - JOHN F. PEZZULO - D.O.B. - 2/3/46 - age 21 from Glens Falls. Single.
Rank E4 / KIA - 3/21/67 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - JOSEPH F. RIBEIRO - D.O.B. - 8/9/46 - age 22 from Mineville. Single.
Rank E3 / KIA - 8/16/68 - Frag Wounds
ARMY - JAMES J. SALTMARSH - D.O.B. - 10/17/46 - age 20 from Ausable Forks.
Single. Rank E3 / KIA - 7/23/67 - Frag Wounds
ARMY - ROBERT H. SANTORELLA - D.O.B. - 6/24/40 - age 25 from Keeseville.
Married. Rank E4 / Casualty - 4/15/66 - Vehicle Crash
MARINE CORPS - EDMOND E. SMITH III - D.O.B. - 9/15/50 - age 19 from Glens Falls.
Single. Rank E3 / Casualty - 2/3/70 - Accident
ARMY - RICHARD D. STEVENS - D.O.B. - 1/28/48 - age 20 from Elizabethtown.
Single. Rank E4 / KIA - 10/6/67 - Small Arms Fire
MARINE CORPS - MARCUS W. STODDARD - D.O.B. - 1/20/49 - age 20 from Mineville.
Single. Rank E2 / KIA - 4/26/69 - Frag Wounds
ARMY - WILLIAM E. STROBEL - D.O.B. - 12/25/42 - age 24 from Amherst. Single.
Rank E4 / cASUALTY - 7/9/67 - Helicopter Crash
MARINE CORPS - JAMES W. VAN TASSELL - D.O.B. - 7/17/47 - age 20 from Glens Falls.
Single. Rank E4 / KIA - 7/5/68 - Artillery Rocket Motor
MARINE CORPS - MELVIN A. WADE - D.O.B. - 12/2/46 - age 20 from Lewis. Single.
Rank E2 / KIA - 5/8/67 - Small Arms Fire
ARMY - LYNN C. WHITFORD - D.O.B. - 12/29/47 - age 21 from Crown Point. Married.
Rank E4 / KIA - 3/22/68 - Explosive Device
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AT MEMORIAL SERVICES AT THE MONUMENT OUR CHAPTER PLACES ONE RED
CARNATION FOR EVERY FALLEN SOLDIER ON THE MONUMENT.
ONE RED CARNATION IS PLACED FOR ANY VETERAN WE MAY HAVE MISSED.
ONE WHITE CARNATION IS PLACED FOR VETERANS OF ALL WARS, PAST AND PRESENT.
ONE WHITE CARNATION IS PLACED IN SPECIAL MEMORY FOR MEMBERS OF CHAPTER 79 WHO HAVE PASSED SINCE IT'S INCEPTION.
The following is a list of the names as they appear on the Monument
It is the soldier, not the poet
who has given us Freedom of Speech
It is the soldier, not the campus organizer
who has given us the Freedom to Demonstrate
It is the soldier who salutes the flag
who serves beneath the flag
and whose coffin is draped by the flag
that allows the protester to burn the flag
Father Dennis O'Brien
U.S. Marine Corp. Chaplain
