Efforts are underway to restore the Berks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Reading’s City Park, a cherished landmark honoring local service members who fought in Vietnam. The City is investing the remainder of the dissolved Corporation funds, supplemented with City Capital Improvement funds, to cover the cost of $16,949.52 for the repairs. The restoration reflects a collective commitment from both the city and the community to preserve the memorial’s significance and ensure it remains a lasting tribute for generations to come.
The scope of repairs, as outlined by Capital Projects Manager Dave Anspach, will prioritize both restoration and preservation. “We want to keep it exactly the same way they’ve had it,” Anspach noted, referring to the city’s dedication to maintaining the integrity of the memorial. “We’ll be completely removing and resetting the granite steps, pressure-washing the entire memorial, and addressing signs of wear like skateboard wax and decay. Our goal is to bring it back, so these veterans can walk off into the sunset knowing their memorial is refreshed and revitalized.”
Tri County Landscape Creations, led by Curtis Showalter, is handling the primary work. Showalter expressed pride in participating: “We’re happy and excited to be doing this for all the veterans in the county and the city. Our role is to remove and reset the steps and some pavers, making everything safe again and revitalizing the whole project.”
The Berks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial was initially dedicated in 1988 after a remarkable nine-month fundraising campaign that rallied over $250,000 from the community. Robert Orzechowski, a Vietnam veteran who played a significant role in the memorial’s creation, recalled how the initial budget grew as additional funds poured in, upgrading aspects from concrete to granite. “The original budget was $175,000, but people kept giving,” Orzechowski reminisced. “Every school district, except one, lost at least one boy, and the community wanted to honor them.”
For Orzechowski and his fellow veterans, the memorial’s significance extends beyond its structure. “It’s sacred ground to us,” he emphasized. “It was done for healing, and I think it went a long way in doing that.” Reflecting on the personal connections he and other veterans have to the memorial, Orzechowski added, “We’ve got 65 names on that stone—65 boys from Berks County who were killed in Vietnam.”
One of the memorial’s most distinctive features is a statue of a seated soldier. Rather than a traditional stance of action or defense, the soldier sits with an air of quiet exhaustion. The design choice was deliberate, as the veterans involved in the project wanted to capture a feeling familiar to those who served in Vietnam.
“We got a lot of complaints about the seated soldier,” Orzechowski shared. “Some people thought he should be standing, holding a weapon, or looking ready for combat. But we said no. This is how you felt when the shelling stopped, and you were still there to breathe. This is how you felt.” The seated soldier represents the complex reality of combat—a mixture of relief, exhaustion, and resilience. For many veterans, this portrayal offers a more honest reflection of their experiences, resonating deeply with those who understand the emotional toll of war.
Despite the comprehensive repairs underway, the City has decided not to replace any missing plaques, though they encourage organizations willing to do so to coordinate with them. Mayor Eddie Morán spoke to the community’s commitment to honoring veterans’ sacrifices. “We owe a great deal to those who served in the Vietnam War. The Berks County Vietnam Veterans Memorial is a place of reflection and remembrance, and preserving its integrity for future generations is essential. We thank the community for their patience as we work to restore this important landmark.”
Veterans involved in the memorial’s creation are resolute in their hope that the restored site will retain its original purpose as a solemn place of reflection. They are particularly mindful that the steps and surrounding area not be used for events or activities that could detract from the memorial’s intended dignity. Bill Williams, a Vietnam veteran, expressed this sentiment: “We’re pretty firm in our minds about please leave it the way it is. People can stand on the grass. You can put wheelchairs on the grass. But we don’t want to see any major changes.”
Reading’s partnership with Vietnam Veterans of America has been instrumental in ensuring the project aligns with veterans’ desires for respectful, careful restoration. In a time when public spaces are often updated or altered, the commitment to preserve this space “as is” resonates with the community’s respect for the site’s history.
The project is expected to conclude within two months, and for the veterans who once rallied to create this memorial, the renovations mark another chapter in their story of honoring the fallen. As Anspach observed, the repairs allow those involved to feel “that it’s been taken care of.” In a sense, the veterans’ work continues as they ensure future generations understand and honor the legacy of those named on the memorial.