At first there was no place for us to go
until someone put up that Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my
Brothers and my Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file
in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some
that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten
any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that Vietnam
war we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones
on the other side have learned something, and more Walls as this one, needn't
be built.
Several members of my unit, and many that
I did not recognize, have called me to The Wall by touching my name engraved
upon it. The tears aren't necessary, but are hard even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny
as it is yours, to be on that side of The Wall. Touch The Wall, my Brothers,
so that we can share in the memories that we had. I have learned to put the
bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant times that we had together.
Tell our other Brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say Goodbye
but to say Hello and be together again even for a short time. . . and to
ease that pain of loss that we all still share.
Today, an irresistible and loving call summons
me to The Wall. As I approach, I can see an elderly lady . . . and
as I get closer, I recognize her...It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward
to this day, I have also dreaded it, because I didn't know what reaction
I would have. Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how
hard it must have been for her to come to this place, and my mind floods
with the pleasant memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military
uniform standing with his arm around her...My God!...he has to be my son!
Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye. I yearn to tell
him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his
uniform.
Momma comes closer and touches The Wall,
and I feel the soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad
has crossed to this side of The Wall, and through our touch, I try to convey
to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building as she sees Momma touch The Wall and she
approaches and lays her hand on my waiting hand. All the emotions, feelings
and memories of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her
that. . .it's alright. . . carry on with your life and don't worry about
me . . . . I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and a big burden
has been lifted from her on wings of understanding. I watch as they
lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky charm that was
taken from me and sent to her by my CO . . . a tattered and worn teddy bear
that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child. . .and several
medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife. One is the Combat
Infantry Badge that I am very proud of, and I notice that my son is also
wearing this medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had
probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq. I can tell that they are
preparing to leave, and I try to take a mental picture of them together,
because I don't know when I will see them again. I wouldn't blame them
if they were not to return, and can only thank them that I was not forgotten.
My wife and Momma near The Wall for one final
touch, and so many years of indecision fear and sorrow are let go. As they
turn to leave, I feel my tears that had not flowed for so many years, form
as if dew drops on the other side of The Wall. They slowly move away with
only a glance over their shoulders.
My son suddenly stops and slowly returns.
He stands straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute. Something
draws him near The Wall and he puts his hand upon etched stone and touches
my tears that had formed dew drops on the face of The Wall . . . and I can
tell that he senses my presence and the pride and love I have for him. He
falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best
to reassure him that it's alright, and the tears do not make him less of
a man. As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes he silently mouths,
God Bless you, Dad....God Bless, YOU, Son . . . we WILL meet someday, but
in the meanwhile, go on your way. . . there is no hurry . . . there is no
hurry at all.
As I see them walk off in the distance,
I yell out to
THEM and EVERYONE there today, as loud as
I can:
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING!. . .
and as others on this side of The Wall join
in, I notice that
the U.S. Flag, Old Glory, that so proudly
flies in front of us
everyday, is flapping and standing proudly
straight out in the
wind from our gathering numbers this
day
and we shout again, and . . . again, and
again
T H A N K S F O R R E M E M B E R I N
G!
T H A N K S FOR R E M E M B E R I N
G!
T H A N K S FOR REMEMBERING!
THANKS F O R REMEMBERING!
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING!
