Veterans' Memorial

Leslie T McMacken Jr's entry at the Washington DC Viet Nam Memorial

In March of 2023, my husband Jim and I visited Washington DC’s Viet Nam Memorial twice during our stay. The first time was very revealing, solemn and emotional. As we were with a group and it was in the evening, we had decided to return and get a picture of our fallen Summit County classmate’s name on the wall – Leslie T McMacken Jr. The next morning, flanked by an 8th grade class from Ohio, Jim and I looked up Leslie’s name from the site's memorial book, and with the help from one of the Ohio school teachers, we found Leslie’s name on wall 23 row 29. I borrowed a lead pencil from one of the students and traced Leslie’s name onto a piece of paper. This was an exercise we witnessed the student's performing. The whole experience was very touching. Below are pictures of the book, wall, Leslie’s entry on the wall, the Ohio students and the various exquisite statues around the site. There are 8 women included within the memorial, and one was on the same wall as Leslie - Sharon A Lane.

We remember you and honor your sacrifice this Memorial Day, and always, our friend, and thanks to all who serve and have served our country.