Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The stone sculpture that lies at the center of this memorial replaces the original that occupied the same spot from 2000 to 2017. Deterioration of the earlier sculpture resulted in a decision to replace it.

The new carving by Don Ramey of West Rutland was dedicated on Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2017. It recalls the earlier work begun by Vietnam veteran John Reno.

John had struggled with depression and recurring flashbacks following his Vietnam service. Begun in 1981, the sculpture became a means for John to work through his anger and pain. But after he died suddenly in a boating accident in 1982, his artistic vision of a soldier lay neglected for years in a Castleton gravel pit.

A fellow Vietnam-era veteran, John Bergeron, later unearthed the incomplete sculpture, which became a focal point for the memorial after Don Ramey completed it. Don was therefore the logical choice to carve the replacement. The new sculpture includes some changes designed to more specifically suggest the American GI of the Vietnam era.

This memorial was sponsored by the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 1, based in Rutland, whose first members were among Reno’s close friends. The memorial was made possible by the generous contributions of scores of businesses and individual supporters and was dedicated on Memorial Day, 2000.

The Memorial has the following signs located around it. Click on any thumbnail to view the sign in detail.

West Rutland Sculpture Don Ramey was photographed Oct. 11, 2017, as he neared completion of the replacement sculpture for the Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Rutland.

Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1 Memorial Sculpture

Scenes From the Memorial Rededication • November 11, 2017

Sign seen from South Main Street Route 4 & 7 South
This stone was placed at the base of the flagpole in 2000
Above, the original memorial replaced by the new memorial, below
Sculptor Don Ramey behind the new memorial preparing to move it from West Rutland
L-R John Center, Don Ramey, Andy Megrath, Dan Hogan
Loading the new monument on to the flatbed
L-R Don Ramey, Jack Crowther, Dan Hogan, Andy Megrath, John Center
Original monument Dedicated in 2000
Original monument Dedicated in 2000
Lifting original off the base
Placing original monument on flatbed
The bed for old and new monuments
Moving new monument to the street
Lifting new monument to be placed on base
Placing new monument on the bed
Volunteers placing the new monument. Photo by David Fretz.
Chapter President Andy Megrath says RIP to the new monument.
Work crew
The original monument being placed back in West Rutland at Don Ramey's Studio
Front page of program
Inside of program
Back of program w/14 new names
The group for the Rededication of the new monument
Lausanne Allen playing Ashoken Farewell
Andy Megrath w/Rev Pete Hults for the Invocation
Rutland Mayor David Allaire
Haley Pero from Benie Sanders office
Right side of monument w/ KIA'S
left side of monument w/KIA's
Foot of monument with KIA's
Head of monument w/KIA's

Construction of Memorial Dedication in 2000.

Marble chips from the original

Location of the Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial

S. Main and Washington Streets
Rutland, Vermont 05701

location map for S. Main and Washington StreetsRutland, Vermont 05701
S. Main and Washington Streets • Rutland, Vermont 05701

Did you serve in country during the Vietnam War?

If you entered the service from Rutland County and received the Vietnam Service Medal, you are eligible for inclusion on the Honor Roll at the Rutland County Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Send a letter with your DD 214 (military service record) to Chapter 1, VVA, 15 Wales St., Rutland, VT 05701 requesting inclusion. A family member can do this. Alternatively, email the request with DD 214 attached to vietnamvetschapter1@gmail.com.