Vietnam Veterans Monument

I got a call Wednesday night to see if I could donate some time to build a monument at Jumers Casino in Rock Island. I told them I could and would see them in the morning. To my surprise it is a monument for Vietnam Vets and is going to be dedicated to Sgt. John Baker a CMH recipient from Moline Illinois. But a bigger surprise was in store for me. A very special brick was to be layed in the center of the base of the monument. It was a brick from the infamous Hanoi Hilton that was smuggled out of the country. From what I was told, this is the only one of it’s kind in the United States of American. Here’s some pictures of the base. We will finish laying the rest of the stone on Saturday. I’ll have more pictures of it then.

WOW ! ! what a very cool thing to be doing…creating that memorial..And ‘the brick’…
to all vets and to those whose where-abouts are known but unto God!

Very nice job Tony.Great to see recognition to those who fought with little thanks in an unpoular war.I will check it out soon.Thanks for your work Steve

Every time I see a story about veterans of any war, I think to myself, how brave they were, and how lucky I was not to have to go. Not that I wouldn’t have if called. But know that whoever you are, sir, I salute you for your service and I thank you for my freedom!!

WKW

THANKS!

Cool stuff Tony, Way To Go.

Tony

absolutly amazing great job and thanks

Great!

That a great thing to be involved with,thanks to everyone for helping get it going.

Everyday of the year I’m greatful for what they did/do for us, not just on Veterans day, then I think of the friends I lost.
Be hard to do to much for them.

Very nice looking, thanks much.

Al

That is so cool Tony! It is great to finally have the recognition so many where lacking from that war. It is also great that you are volunteering your skills to help make the memorial a reality!

Very Nice!

Just a few more pictures. It still needs some finishing touches.

Great stuff Tony! Something you can be proud of for the rest of your life!!

I got a call Tuesday night inviting me and the rest of the guys who helped on this project to a by invitation only dinner tonight. Sgt. John Baker of Moline Il.a recipient of the Metal of Honor is to be the the guest of honor. The guest speaker is going to be Rocky Bleier. It should be a very interesting night. Can’t wait.

Great job honoring a lot of people that were caught up in a very difficult period of U.S. history.

Thank you.

Pete

I had a great time tonight at the ceremony dinner. Met some very interesting people. I’m still running goose bumps from some of the stories that I heard. I got to meet a childhood hero. Rocky Bleier. Thank god for all the men and women past and present that have served this great country of ours. Without them we would not have what we have today.
The first picture is me with Rocky Bleier
Second picture is me with Bill Albracht. He’s the Secret Service Agent who smuggled the brick out of Vietnam and the third one is of Master Sgt. John F. Baker Jr. the recipient of the Medal of Honor.