page_title: Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Veterans Memorial
section_title: Memorial Structure and Inscriptions
hierarchical_section_title: Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Veterans Memorial / Memorial Structure and Inscriptions
caption_attribution_description: English: Bronze Eagle Centerpiece
context_page_description: The Augusta-Central Savannah River Area Vietnam War Veterans Memorial is a granite and bronze monument placed in Augusta, Georgia, March 29, 2019, to honor the CSRA's 169 Vietnam War dead, three Ex-Prisoners of War, and one former Missing in Action as well as the region's 15,000 surviving Vietnam War Veterans. The memorial is located in the "Olde Town" section of Augusta, Georgia, on the Broad Street median between Third and Fourth Streets. The monument was designed, purchased, and placed by the Augusta Chapter of the Military Order of the World Wars and the chapter's 17 community partners who made up the Augusta-CSRA Vietnam War Memorial Initiative Steering Committee.
context_section_description: The memorial's front center-right and center-left panels identify each of the 169 service members from the Augusta and Central Savannah River Area (CSRA) who lost their lives in Vietnam. The mid-center panel portrays a map of the Vietnam theater of operations and the inscription "Spirit of Freedom." The far right and far left front panels depict the names of the region's three EX-POWs and one MIA, an engraving of "The Three Soldiers" statue in Washington, DC, and a quote from former President Ronald Reagan's commemoration address, delivered on the National Mall, November 11, 1984:
  "Those who fought in Vietnam are part of us, part of our history. They reflected the best in us. No number of wreaths, no amount of music and memorializing will ever do them justice, but it is good for us that we honor them and their sacrifice .... The men and women of Vietnam fought for freedom in a place where liberty was in danger. They put their lives in danger to help a people in a land far away from their own. Many sacrificed their lives in the name of duty, honor, and country. All were patriots who lit the world with their fidelity and courage." 
  The reverse of the memorial recognizes each of the 5 branches of the Armed Services who fought in Vietnam, displays engraved period photographs from each service, and provides service statistics from each service branch. The reverse also displays the names of the 17 organizations who partnered with the Augusta Chapter of the MOWW for design, purchase, and placement of the monument.  
  The memorial's centerpiece is a 220-pound solid bronze eagle sculpture titled, "Spirit of Freedom" which stands 3.5 feet high and has an expansive wingspan of 5 feet in length. The sculpture was purchased by a single donor from a bronze sculpture and art company located in California. Inscriptions beneath the bronze eagle sculpture read, "Spirit of Freedom" (front) and "God Bless the USA" (reverse). 
  The memorial was finalized in August 2019, with the placement of a Vietnam-era bronze "Soldier's Cross," a granite pedestal, 4 engraved granite benches, 4 additional granite mantle pieces, and 4 bronze recognition plaques.
caption: Bronze eagle sculpture titled "Spirit of Freedom" serves as the memorial's centerpiece.
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