Western New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial, (sculpture).

Western New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial, (sculpture).

Sirianni, sculptor.

Moss, Lawrence K., architect.

Wiedemer, David K., architect.

Galle Memorial Studio, contractor.

Western New York Vietnam Veterans Memorial, (sculpture).

Dedicated July 7, 1984.

Approx. 12 x 30 x 20 ft.

(On proper left end of proper right piece:) They answered when called;/asked for little and got less:/and made us poorer for their passing/but richer for their sacrifice/in remembering the dead/we embrace the living:/for we ought to remember/better than we do./Stephen T. Banko III/Vietnam veteran/Western New York honors the courage,/sacrifice and devotion to duty and/country of its Vietnam veterans./This monument was built with/contributions from the community of/Western New York.

(On proper right end of proper left piece:) Soldier/I was that which others did not want/to be/I went where others feared to go, and/did what others failed to do./I ask nothing from those who gave/and reluctantly accepted/the thought of eternal/loneliness...should I fail/I have seen the face of terror; felt the/stinging cold of fear; and enjoyed/the sweet taste of moments/of love/I have cried pained ad hoped.../but most of all, I have lived time/others would say were best forgotten./At least someday I will be able to say/that I was proud of what I was/...a soldier./George L. Skypeck/Vietnam veteran

(On back of proper right piece:) City of Buffalo Mayor James D. Griffin/County of Erie Executive Edward Rutkowski/Vietnam veterans leadership program/of Western New York/Executive Director Peter P. Linkowski/general contractor LCP Construction Corp./Stone Contractor Galle Memorial Studio/architects/Lawrence K. Moss R.A./David K. Wiedemer R.A. unsigned

The work consists of two major granite pieces and a small granite circular piece. The two major pieces rise from the ground to about 12 ft. in height and form 90 degree arcs or two quarters of a circle. They are engraved with the names of Western New York's war dead from the Vietnam War as well as various quotes. The pieces are highest at the center, falling away from there. The effect is that of a semi-circle rising out of the ground. The small piece is situated in the center and features an engraving of a soldier and helicopter on its top surface, and the text "WESTERN NEW YORK VIETNAM VETERANS" around the top.

History -- United States -- Vietnam War

Occupation -- Military -- Soldier

Outdoor Sculpture -- New York -- Buffalo

Administered by City of Buffalo, Buffalo Arts Commission, Department of Community Development, 920 City Hall, Buffalo, New York 14202

Located Waterfront Park, Buffalo, New York

Save Outdoor Sculpture, New York, Buffalo survey, 1992.

The information provided about this artwork was compiled as part of the Smithsonian American Art Museum's Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture database, designed to provide descriptive and location information on artworks by American artists in public and private collections worldwide.

Inventories of American Painting and Sculpture, Smithsonian American Art Museum, P.O. Box 37012, MRC 970, Washington, D.C. 20013-7012

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