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The names of Western New Yorkers who died fighting in the Vietnam War are fading on the memorial at the Erie County Naval and Military Park, so a group of volunteers is working on restoring them.
Episode 3339 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about what the patriots in Buffalo, NY are doing to honor their Vietnam Veterans. The featured story is titled: ‘We can’t allow them to be forgotten’: Public repainting names on WNY Vietnam Memorial. It appeared on the WKBW website and was submitted by Maki Becker..
Becker reported that in Buffalo, New York, a group of dedicated volunteers is making sure the names of Vietnam Veterans who gave their lives for their country will never be forgotten. At the Erie County Naval and Military Park, the names of Western New York service members who died during the Vietnam War have been fading after more than 40 years of exposure to Buffalo’s harsh weather. Now, caring Americans are stepping forward to restore this important Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
This powerful restoration effort is more than repainting names on a wall—it is an act of patriotism, respect, remembrance, and gratitude for the brave men who served during the Vietnam War. These Vietnam Veterans answered their nation’s call during one of the most difficult periods in American history. Their courage, sacrifice, dedication, and service represent the greatness of the Vietnam Veteran generation.
Dan Frontera, an Iraq War veteran and member of the Iraq Afghanistan Memorial Committee, noticed the fading names during a Memorial Day visit. He and fellow volunteers decided they could not stand by and allow these heroes to disappear from public memory. Volunteers have already spent hours filling cracks and carefully repainting the names by hand, preserving the memorial for future generations.
The message behind their work is powerful: a hero should never be forgotten. Every name represents a life, a family, a community, and an American who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam.
The Buffalo community deserves recognition for honoring these Vietnam War heroes. Their efforts demonstrate that America’s Vietnam Veterans and those who never returned home remain worthy of our highest respect.
The Erie County Naval and Military Park memorial serves as a lasting reminder of Vietnam War history, military service, patriotism, sacrifice, and the extraordinary courage of America’s Vietnam Veterans. By restoring these names, Buffalo is keeping their legacy alive and teaching future generations why we must always remember those who served and sacrificed for our freedom.
Listen to episode 3339 and discover more about what the patriots in Buffalo, NY are doing to honor their Vietnam Veterans.
