View source for Dogwood Vietnam Memorial

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[[image:vietnam.jpg|right|200px]] 

The '''Dogwood Vietnam Memorial''', erected in 1966, is considered by some to be the first Vietnam memorial in the U.S. It is located in the eastern portion of [[McIntire Park]],<ref name=city>{{cite web|title=Dogwood Vietnam Memorial|publisher=City of [[Charlottesville]]|accessdate=4/9/09|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=370}}</ref> and is rededicated every year on the last day of the [[Dogwood Festival]]<ref name=dpuncertain>{{cite-progress|title=Dogwood Vietnam Memorial’s future uncertain|author=Seth Rosen|publishdate=6/12/2007|accessdate=4/09/09|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/dogwood_vietnam_memorials_future_uncertain_06_13_07_cdp/10046}}</ref>.

==History==

In the 1960s, the United States was at war in Vietnam. In 1966, the memorial was dedicated to those of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area who were killed or missing in action.<ref name=wood>{{cite web|title="The Charlottesville Dogwood Festival"|work=Google Books|author=Smith, Elizabeth D. Wood|accessdate=18 Nov. 2010|url=http://books.google.com/books?id=8B7N0GiCZ7oC&lpg=PA1&pg=PA9#v=onepage&q=dogwood%20vietnam%20memorial&f=false}}</ref> There is a plaque listing those twenty-three men from Charlottesville and Albemarle who gave their lives for their country during the war. The memorial is rededicated every April, and twenty-three new flags are placed at it to honor those fallen men. The flag, which has flown over the nation’s capital building, is also replaced every year at the rededication. A different veteran of the Vietnam War is the guest speaker every year, and each year the old flag is given to them. <ref name=wood/> Also part of the rededication ceremony is trumpet rendition of “Taps”, a bag-pipe rendition of “Amazing Grace”, and a 21-gun salute.<ref name=wood/>  Jim Shisler is the founder of this Vietnam Memorial, and as Dogwood board member is responsible for the planning and execution of the re-dedication ceremony each year.<<ref name=wood/>

The memorial is listed as a landmark of historic significance for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act{{fact}}.

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===Meadowcreek Parkway===
The Memorial is located in the eastern part of McIntire Park. <ref name=city>{{cite web|title=Dogwood Vietnam Memorial|publisher=City of [[Charlottesville]]|accessdate=4/9/09|url=http://www.charlottesville.org/Index.aspx?page=370}}</ref>, and is rededicated every year on the last day of the [[Dogwood Festival]].<ref name=dpuncertain/> However, the proposed [[Meadowcreek Parkway Interchange|Route 250 Interchange]] of the [[Meadowcreek Parkway]] will potentially interfere with the memorial at its current location. 

Many veterans were opposed to the possible relocation of the memorial.  Some claim that it is disrespectful to those who are honored at the memorial. A final decision for the design of the interchange, and therefore, the future of the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, will be made in February 2011.<ref name=dpuncertain>{{cite-progress|title=Dogwood Vietnam Memorial’s future uncertain|author=Seth Rosen|publishdate=6/12/2007|accessdate=4/09/09|url=http://www.dailyprogress.com/cdp/news/local/article/dogwood_vietnam_memorials_future_uncertain_06_13_07_cdp/10046}}</ref>

{{current}}

After it was completed, many veterans expressed concern it was inaccessible because it was located too far from parking lots. Council will hold a work session in early 2020 to further discuss ways to address the issue. <ref>{{cite-progress|title=Council to hold work session on Vietnam memorial access|url=https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/council-to-hold-work-session-on-vietnam-memorial-access/article_302a0c41-1200-50e3-be29-8cd5de1d4285.html|author=Nolan Stout|pageno=A1|printdate=November 19, 2019|publishdate=November 19, 2019|accessdate=November 20, 2019}}</ref>

====Revitalization====
As part of the McIntire Park Master Plan, the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial remained in the same area of the park, but received improvements as construction of the John Warner Parkway. <ref>{{cite web|title=McIntire botanical garden proposal gets support from City Council|publisher=Charlottesville Tomorrow|publishdate=July 17, 2012|accessdate=July 18,2012|url=http://cvilletomorrow.typepad.com/charlottesville_tomorrow_/2012/07/mcintire_park_planning.html}}</ref>

[[image:DogwoodVietnamMemorial_img5010a_569x403.jpg‎|center]]



==The Veterans Honored==
The Memorial honors all soliders who fought in the Vietnam War, especially those from the Charlottesville-Albemarle area who gave their lives to the service.  The list of those honored are<ref name=city/>:

*'''Champ Jackson Lawson, Jr.''' - Champ was an Army Specialist from Earlysville. 
*'''Grandville Anthony Jones''' - A Private First Class in the Army, "Tony" attended Lane High School in Charlottesville.  
*'''Erskine Buford Wilde''' - Erskine was an Army Private First Class in the Field Artillery.  
*'''John Devon Tyler''' - John was a Sergeant in the Army with a military occupational specialty in Multichannel Transmissions Systems. 
*'''Harvey Mulhauser''' - Harvey was a Captain in the United States Air Force who's plane went down over Laos.  His body was never recovered. 
*'''Howard Eslie Hollar''' - Private First Class Hollar was a Marine serving as a helicopter machine gunner.
*'''Roger Mark Link''' -  Private First Class Link was a paratrooper in the 101st Airborne Division.  
*'''Walter Franklin Payne''' - Staff Sergeant Payne was an infantryman with the 1st Cavalry. 
*'''Carl Reed Gibson''' - Second Lieutenant Gibson was a Marine and a forward artillery observer who died in the battle of Dao Do in 1968. 
*'''Douglas Delano Wallace''' - Private First Wallace was a Marine Rifleman.  
*'''Robert Edward Marshall''' - Robert Edward Marshall was a Warrant Officer (WO4) in the Marines.
*'''Clyde R. Perry, Jr.''' - Clyde R. Perry was a Specialist in the Army. 
*'''James M. Kardos''' - Private First Class Kardos was an Infantryman in the Army. 
*'''Charles K. Butler''' - First Lieutenat Charles K. Butler was a helicopter pilot in the Marine Corps and the recipient of two Distinguished Flying Crosses. 
*'''Richard Thomas Carter''' - Specialist Carter was a ground radar surveillance crewman.
*'''Robert Hoyt Ruggles''' - Private First Class Ruggles was an Army Infantryman.
*'''Wayne Dabney McRay''' -  Specialist McRay was an Infantryman in the 11th Armored Cavalry.
*'''Rodolph L. Nunn, Jr.''' - Rodolph Nunn was an Air Force Lieutenant Colonel and a pilot of fixed wing aircraft. 
*'''Floyd Burnett Coates''' - Specialist Coates was an Army Infantryman from Culpeper. 
*'''Howell Frank Blakey''' - Lance Corporal Blakely was a Marine from Free Union, Virginia. 
*'''Walter Ross, Jr.''' -  Lance Corporal Ross was a Marine from Bremo Bluff, Virginia.
*'''Thomas D. Grinnell, III''' - Lance Corporal Grinnell was a Marine Field Radio Operator.
*'''Oscar Mauterer''' - Colonel Oscar Mauterer was an Air Force pilot who's plane went missing over Laos.  His body was never recovered.  There is an "In Memory Of" Stone in his honor at Arlington Cemetery.  

The names on the Memorial are approximately listed in the order of their death. <ref>[http://http://virtualwall.org/]</ref>

New names were carved into the memorial at the dedication ceremony on April 22, 2016. <ref>{{cite web|title=Dogwood Vietnam Memorial Rededication Held in McIntire Park|url=http://www.nbc29.com/story/31793961/dogwood-vietnam-memorial-rededication-held-in-mcintire-park|author=Jenna Dagenhart|work=|publisher=NBC29|location=|publishdate=April 22, 2016|accessdate=April 25, 2016}}</ref>

==Location==
{{map|lat=38.048868|lng=-78.47753|zoom=13}}

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[category: Historic preservation]]
[[category: Charlottesville Parks]]