For visitors to San Francisco or commuters who go by ferry and end up at the Ferry Building on the Embarcadero, a visual treat awaited those passengers crossing the street toward Ferry Plaza. On the north side of the entrance area, on the wall underneath one of those granite orbs that are found topping large cubic blocks, a bronze plaque, entitled "San Francisco Vietnam Veterans Memorial". In raised letters in 5 columns, 163 names are listed in alphabetical order. All were killed in Vietnam during the war years 1965-1975.
The plaque was placed/dated 2001 Memorial Day. Why here? High visibility? Who knows? The plaque had been neglected, turning a dull green, splattered with pigeon droppings making it essentially unreadable even under close observation.
Within the last few days, unknown parties cleaned and polished the plaque, restoring its dignity, color, and brilliance. This bright condition, as it was when new, highlights the esteem that these veterans are held with, as they should be.
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| San Francisco Vietnam Veterans Memorial: Ferry Plaza |
Locals seem to think that the City plans to relocate the plaque to the War Memorial Building at the Civic Center near City Hall. Maybe that's a good thing. It may get cleaned a little more often.
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