Vietnam Memorial to be Dedicated in Scotch Plains Today

On Sunday at 1 p.m., Scotch Plains will dedicate its latest memorial, which honors the dedication, commitment and sacrifice of the men and women of the armed services of the United States who served during the Vietnam War. It also pays tribute to local casualties of the Vietnam War and all American prisoners of war and those missing in action (POW/MIAs).   

Scotch Plains Zoning Officer Bob LaCosta, along with the help of other local veterans, raised funds for the memorial, which was built in front of the Scotch Plains municipal building.

LaCosta, a Vietnam veteran himself, says the memorial represents a long overdue thank you to those who served. 

"I think it will be a very nice tribute to the veterans who served in Vietnam, which was obviously not a very popular war," LaCosta told Patch. "When they came home, it wasn't the kind of homecoming that a lot of veterans received from other wars. It’s really about time."

The memorial includes a bronze casting of the "Remembrance of a Fallen Soldier" traditional gun, boots and helmet symbol. It will also include paving bricks that can be purchased and inscribed. 

LaCosta served as grand marshall in Scotch Plain's 2012 Memorial Day parade, agreeing on the condition that he accept the honor on behalf of all Vietnam veterans. LaCosta was assigned to Vietnam in 1969 to the 165th Combat Aviation Group headquartered in Long Binh. 

"The Vietnam war is unique as the first television war for the passions and oppositions which the living room images aroused," said LaCosta in his grand marshall speech. "Images that where brought into your living rooms, on a daily basis, the look of war was on every one of those young faces. A war longer than all previous major wars of the century combined, bloodier than any in terms of the small arena involved. Answers are still being sought in the field of psychiatry because there were none on the field of battle."

"We really think it's going to be something everyone can be proud of town can be proud of place of honor for a very, very long time," said LaCosta. "The time has finally come."