The Vietnam Veterans Monument was the first of its type to honor Southern Ute Vietnam veterans’ duty in combat. It sits on the East side of the Veterans Memorial Park facing inward. It was set there to honor the Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall, which came through Ignacio, CO in September 1997.
This war saw the second-highest number of tribal members to serve in any U.S. military conflict: 42 enlisted or were drafted. Only World War II had more at 43. Of the 42 who served, 18 went to Vietnam. All returned. We have since lost half of this group, but memories and dreams still keep them with us to this day.
The monument has a map of Vietnam below the words.
IN 1997, THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL THE TRAVELING WALL STOOD ON THIS GROUND. WE, THE SOUTHERN UTE PEOPLE HONOR THE BRAVE SOLDIERS WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES. FOR PEOPLE SO FAR AWAY IN A TIME WE WILL NEVER FORGET.
VIETNAM SERVICE
TOUR OF DUTY VIETNAM
† PVT GLENN WILLIAMS JULY 1966–APR 1967
† SP4 ROGER PRICE JUNE 1967–JUNE 1968
SP4 ROLAND D NORRIS JULY 1967–JULY 1968†
SP4 ELWOOD HOWE APR 1967–MAY 1968
SGT HOWARD RICHARDS SR JAN 1969–AUG 1969
† PVT DENNIS BURCH MAR 1968–MAR 1969
† PFC HAROLD SILVA FEB 1969–MAY 1969
† SP4 VINCENT SILVA JR MAR 1969–APR 1970
† SP4 VERNEST CAREL JAN 1970–DEC 1971
SGT TIM WATTS APR 1970–MAR 1971
SP4 RODERICK LEE GROVE AUG 1970–OCT 1971
PVT CLIFFORD CHARLES COOK NOV 1965–SEPT 1966
PVT TEDDY BAKER DEC 1969–DEC 1970
SSGT AUSTIN BOX JULY 1966–JULY 1967
PFC ERIC WEAVER 1971–1972
† DECEASED
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