Dogwood Vietnam Memorial

The Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, erected in 1966, is considered by some to be the first Vietnam memorial in the U.S. It is located in the eastern portion of McIntire Park, and is rededicated every year on the last day of the Dogwood Festival.

In the 1960s, the United States was at war in Vietnam. In 1966, the memorial was dedicated to those of the Charlottesville-Albemarle area who were killed or missing in action. The festival was financed by Charlottesville Businessmen and Sol Weinberg, the future mayor of Charlottesville, was the first president of the festival. There is a plaque listing those twenty-three men from Charlottesville and Albemarle who gave their lives for their country during the war. The memorial is rededicated every April, and twenty-three new flags are placed at it to honor those fallen men. The flag, which has flown over the nation’s capital building, is also replaced every year at the rededication. A different veteran of the Vietnam War is the guest speaker every year, and each year the old flag is given to them. Also part of the rededication ceremony is trumpet rendition of “Taps”, a bag-pipe rendition of “Amazing Grace”, and a 21-gun salute. Jim Shisler is the founder of this Vietnam Memorial, and as Dogwood board member is responsible for the planning and execution of the re-dedication ceremony each year.<

The memorial is listed as a landmark of historic significance for compliance with Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act.

The Veterans Honored

The Memorial honors all soliders who fought in the Vietnam War, especially those from the Charlottesville-Albemarle area who gave their lives to the service. The list of those honored are:

• Champ Jackson Lawson, Jr.
• Grandville Anthony Jones
• Erskine Buford Wilde
• John Devon Tyler
• Harvey Mulhauser
• Howard Eslie Hollar
• Roger Mark Link
• Walter Franklin Payne
• Carl Reed Gibson
• Douglas Delano Wallace
• Robert Edward Marshall
• Clyde R. Perry, Jr.
• James M. Kardos
• Charles K. Butler
• Richard Thomas Carter
• Robert Hoyt Ruggles
• Wayne Dabney McRay
• Rodolph L. Nunn, Jr.
• Floyd Burnett Coates
• Howell Frank Blakey
• Walter Ross, Jr.
• Thomas D. Grinnell, III
• Oscar Mauterer

Meadowcreek Parkway

The Memorial is located in the eastern part of McIntire Park. , and is rededicated every year on the last day of the Dogwood Festival.

However, the proposed Route 250 Interchange of the Meadowcreek Parkway will potentially interfere with the memorial at its current location.

"There is the possibility of having it work in its existing site, but it's just as possible that it would have to be moved," Mike Svetz, the head of Charlottesville’s Parks and Recreation Department told the Daily Progress. If necessary, the memorial will be moved to a different location within McIntire Park.. As a historic landmark, the terms of the National Historic Preservation Act must be met before the road project is approved. Many veterans are opposed to the possible relocation of the memorial. Some claim that it is disrespectful to those who are honored at the memorial. A final decision for the design of the interchange, and therefore, the future of the Dogwood Vietnam Memorial, will be made in February 2011. .