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Bakersfield California Walking Tour
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The Kern County Vietnam War Memorial honors the more than 14,000 men and women from Kern County who served in Vietnam. It includes the names of each of the residents from Kern County who lost their lives while in service. The memorial also includes an image of a bird in flight. Below this is an inscription that reads, "Wind Beneath My Wings." There are benches on either side of the memorial where people can sit and reflect.

Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Bakersfield

Plant, Tree, Leaf, Building

Inscription on Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Bakersfield

Font, Circle, Commemorative plaque, Motor vehicle

Artistic detail on Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Bakersfield

Bird, Grey, Feather, Font

Partial list of names on Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Bakersfield

Font, Signage, Concrete, Monochrome photography

Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Bakersfield

Plant, Building, Window, Tree

The Kern County Vietnam War Memorial is one of several war memorials in Bakersfield that honors the residents of Kern County who served in the armed forces. It is located directly in front of the Superior Court building in Bakersfield. At the top of the monument is an artistic etching of a bird soaring with wings outstretched. Underneath this are the words: "Wind Beneath My Wings." This is followed by the names of the Kern County residents who died during service in the Vietnam War.

The monument also honors all of the Kern County residents who served in Vietnam. The inscription reads as follows:

"To The More Than 14,000

Men and Women

From Kern County

Who Served In Vietnam…

And To Those Who Gave

The Ultimate Sacrifice…

You Are Not Forgotten."

In addition to the Kern County Vietnam War Memorial on Truxtun Avenue in Bakersfield, there is also a Kern County Korean War Memorial, as well as a 9/11 Memorial, which are located elsewhere in the city. Along with these monuments, there is additionally another monument, the Kern County Veterans Memorial, which was created in 2007 to honor all of the veterans of Kern County who served. This is located on Truxtun Avenue about a block to the east of the Kern County Vietnam War Memorial.

Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, Online Archive of California. Accessed April 16th 2021. https://oac.cdlib.org/ark:/13030/kt1h4nc4s0/?brand=oac4.

Mayer, Steven. "Cataloging Our Casualties", Bakersfield.com. September 12th 2016. Accessed April 16th 2021. https://www.bakersfield.com/news/cataloging-our-casualties/article_085cc7ec-d993-5bd6-8713-64eaeea9d4c0.html.

Whittle, Syd. Kern County Vietnam War Memorial, The Historical Marker Database. August 1st 2018. Accessed April 15th 2021. https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=25130.

Image Sources(Click to expand)

Syd Whittle, The Historical Marker Database

Syd Whittle, The Historical Marker Database

Syd Whittle, The Historical Marker Database

Syd Whittle, The Historical Marker Database

Syd Whittle, The Historical Marker Database