By Robert Kalfus
Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 49 Executive Director Dan Griffin and many veterans and their families honored the sacrifice and memory of Westchester’s 217 soldiers and 8 nurses who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country, and losing their lives and never returning home alive from the Vietnam conflict.
More than 700 lit candles in paper bags lining the Trail of Honor were arranged and lit by members of Boy Scouts Troop 73, White Plains, leading to the American flag flying atop the hill in Lasdon Park in Katonah/Somers, for the 33rd annual Candlelight Vigil of Vietnam Veterans remembering their fallen comrades. The lighting occurred at dusk, and the names of all 217 Westchester men and 8 nurses who died in the Vietnam War were solemnly read and remembered.
“It is said that a person dies twice. Once when you stop breathing, and the second time, when your name is no longer mentioned,” declared VVoA Director Dan Griffin. “We are here to make sure that ever happens. We will always be here, every year, to make sure that our fallen heroes are remembered.”
The Veterans Memorial Trail of Honor at Lasdon Park was dedicated on October 19, 1997, featuring memorials and monuments honoring the Veterans of Westchester County and our Nation from the American Revolution through the present day. A special memorial also recognizes and pays tribute to Gold Star Mothers for their own sacrifice. Beginning with the flags of the Merchant Marine, Army, Navy, Marines, Coast Guard and Air Force, the trail soon brings the visitor past a cannon from the Spanish-American War, and then to a memorial dedicated to the memory of the men of the Merchant Marine who have been lost during America’s military conflicts.
As the trail continues on into the forest, one next passes a series of bronze busts on stone cairns. Each cairn features 44 stones on the front face, representing the 44 cities and towns in Westchester County. The busts are copies of original works created by artist and Veteran Niels Anderson originally displayed at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Veterans Hospital in Montrose, NY, where Anderson himself had been a patient. The busts depict servicemen of the American Revolution, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and the Persian Gulf War. An additional bust honors female nurses. A bust featuring a soldier from the War of 1812 was crafted by sculptor Barbara Lepak.
The trail then leads uphill to the Vietnam War Memorial and Vietnam War Nurses Memorial, located on high ground with a spectacular view of the Muscoot Reservoir valley. A cobblestone walkway encircles a granite obelisk featuring the names of 217 Westchester County residents who were killed in action during the Vietnam War. A flagpole with the American and POW flags stands sentinel over the site. The Nurses Memorial depicts a soldier carrying a wounded comrade with a nurse reaching out to assist. A granite stone nearby lists the names of eight nurses killed in Vietnam.
Continuing along the trail, one next approaches the Korean War Veterans Memorial, the largest in the park, dedicated to all those who served during the Korean War, particularly the men of Westchester County who gave their lives during this conflict and now have their names engraved on the face of this ten foot high black obelisk. The opposite side of the stone is etched with a map of Korea. Opposite is a flagpole flanked by two stone benches and two plaques. There is also another, smaller, stone monument and rows of memorial bricks with inscriptions.
As the loop trail heads back towards the parking lot, the final two monuments are reached. The first honors the men and women of the infantry or Special Forces soldiers who have served in ground combat under hostile fire since December 6, 1941 and thereby earned the Combat Infantry Badge. The last monument honors our Nation’s Gold Star Mothers – those who have made the greatest sacrifice a mother can make for her Country.
The Trail of Honor is open year-round and tours are provided upon request from Chapter 49 VVoA. Please contact Chapter 49 for information at www.LasdonTrailOfHonor.com or call (914) 682-4949.
