vietnam war

1. 1993
   • Feb 17

     What is the difference between a 'static' and a 'living' memorial?

     The United States Aircraft Carrier Memorial, located at San Diego’s historic Old Navy "Fleet Landing" across from the USS Midway, serves as a powerful example of a 'living' memorial. Unlike static memorials that remain unchanged, the Aircraft Carrier Memorial continues to evolve, engraining the names of every U.S. Navy aircraft carrier—currently 165 in total—honoring not only the ships, but all who served aboard them. The memorial was unveiled on February 17, 1993, in front of more than 1,000 veterans and families, and features a striking nine-foot polished black granite obelisk alongside two life-size bronze sculptures. The ongoing addition of carriers—ranging from the USS Langley, commissioned in 1920, to the USS Ronald Reagan in 2003—ensures that this site remains a place of active remembrance and education for generations to come.

2. 1995
   • Jul 22

     What is a 'rolling memorial'?

     A 'rolling memorial' is a unique and increasingly popular form of commemoration found across North America, involving vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles artfully transformed to honour fallen heroes or mark significant events. These moving tributes not only keep memories alive on everyday streets but also bring remembrance directly to communities, fostering public awareness and support. In Canada, the first Canadian Heroes Memorial Vehicle debuted on July 22, 2010, and in its first seven years traveled over 200,000 kilometres, leading parades, attending funerals, and serving at countless national events. The tradition continues today, with personalized designs like Lise A. Charron’s vehicle honouring Trooper Jack Bouthillier, symbolizing both individual loss and national gratitude.

3. 2013
   • Nov 9

     What Vietnam War battlefield rescue is memorialized depicting the only time when one Medal of Honor recipient was rescued by a person who would eventually be awarded a Medal of Honor for rescuing him?

     At the entrance of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, a striking ten-foot bronze statue called 'Swim Buddies' commemorates an extraordinary Vietnam War battlefield rescue. The sculpture memorializes the night of October 31, 1972, when SEAL Petty Officer Michael "Mike" Thornton braved enemy fire to carry his critically injured teammate, Lieutenant Thomas "Tommy" Norris, to safety—an act that would result in both men receiving the Medal of Honor, uniquely marking the only time one recipient saved another. Thornton towed Norris for two hours through darkness and surf before they were rescued, exemplifying the SEAL ethos of mutual responsibility known as the "swim buddy" system. Unveiled on November 9, 2013, and commissioned by H. Ross Perot, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of valor and brotherhood at the historic training grounds of America’s original WWII "frogmen."

February

17

1993What is the difference between a 'static' and a 'living' memorial?

The United States Aircraft Carrier Memorial, located at San Diego’s historic Old Navy "Fleet Landing" across from the USS Midway, serves as a powerful example of a 'living' memorial. Unlike static memorials that remain unchanged, the Aircraft Carrier Memorial continues to evolve, engraining the names of every U.S. Navy aircraft carrier—currently 165 in total—honoring not only the ships, but all who served aboard them. The memorial was unveiled on February 17, 1993, in front of more than 1,000 veterans and families, and features a striking nine-foot polished black granite obelisk alongside two life-size bronze sculptures. The ongoing addition of carriers—ranging from the USS Langley, commissioned in 1920, to the USS Ronald Reagan in 2003—ensures that this site remains a place of active remembrance and education for generations to come.

July

22

1995What is a 'rolling memorial'?

A 'rolling memorial' is a unique and increasingly popular form of commemoration found across North America, involving vehicles such as cars, trucks, and motorcycles artfully transformed to honour fallen heroes or mark significant events. These moving tributes not only keep memories alive on everyday streets but also bring remembrance directly to communities, fostering public awareness and support. In Canada, the first Canadian Heroes Memorial Vehicle debuted on July 22, 2010, and in its first seven years traveled over 200,000 kilometres, leading parades, attending funerals, and serving at countless national events. The tradition continues today, with personalized designs like Lise A. Charron’s vehicle honouring Trooper Jack Bouthillier, symbolizing both individual loss and national gratitude.

November

9

2013What Vietnam War battlefield rescue is memorialized depicting the only time when one Medal of Honor recipient was rescued by a person who would eventually be awarded a Medal of Honor for rescuing him?

At the entrance of the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum in Fort Pierce, Florida, a striking ten-foot bronze statue called 'Swim Buddies' commemorates an extraordinary Vietnam War battlefield rescue. The sculpture memorializes the night of October 31, 1972, when SEAL Petty Officer Michael "Mike" Thornton braved enemy fire to carry his critically injured teammate, Lieutenant Thomas "Tommy" Norris, to safety—an act that would result in both men receiving the Medal of Honor, uniquely marking the only time one recipient saved another. Thornton towed Norris for two hours through darkness and surf before they were rescued, exemplifying the SEAL ethos of mutual responsibility known as the "swim buddy" system. Unveiled on November 9, 2013, and commissioned by H. Ross Perot, the statue stands as a powerful symbol of valor and brotherhood at the historic training grounds of America’s original WWII "frogmen."