The Memorial
This cache is a tribute to the 1562 men and women from New Jersey that died or are MIA in Southeast Asia - primarily in the Vietnam war. It is located at the Garden State Arts Center and centered around the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (GSP exit 116). The memorial itself took 17 years to design and build from its conception through opening ceremony on May 7th, 1995. Hein Nguyen, who fled war-ravaged South Vietnam in 1975, designed the memorial. At the center of the structure are a beautiful sculpture and a tall and proud Red Oak - the state tree of New Jersey. No matter what you think of the war, take the time to remember and honor those who never came home. Many were fighting for freedom. Many were just fighting for their lives.
The Hide
This cache is an easy two-stage field-puzzle multi-cache. The posted coordinates will lead you a micro cache that will give you instructions on how to find the final. If the first stage has gone missing you can use this link to get to the final. Nothing complicated but reserve an hour for the hunt and to see the meditation garden, cemetery, war-dogs & veterans memorials. You’ll need at least another hour if you wish to explore the educational center & museum. This is a field puzzle but everything you need is at the posted coordinates. The multiple stages serve only to take you on a tour of my favorite points of the memorial. Smartphone cachers can utilize the geochecker/field-puzzle-helper link on the back of the instructions or in the link above. Enjoy the hike & the hunt!
Parking Coordinates: N 40° 23.395 W 074° 10.485
The Memorial is free to all and open 24-7-365. Obviously parking may be an issue if there is an event going on at the Arts Center so plan accordingly. The Educational Center is open Tuesday through Saturday 10-4. Admission is $5 but not required for this cache.
For more information visit NJVVMF.org
This cache is certified Central Jersey!
