The Wall

Pass through life each day, unmindful, taking for granted what we have, and the true cost of achieving and keeping it. The blood of patriots, the last true full measure of devotion. Thanks for reposting it Charles, I'm glad to have read it.

It's easy and completely justified to shower glory on vets and active duty folks, but it never hurts to remember the ones who never came back.

That is one powerful piece of writing my friend. I'm thunderstruck. Very well done indeed. Do post it again next Memorial Day. And on behalf of my fellow veterens, let me convey our sincerest thanks.

both article and monument.

I've never fully understood the controversy over it. My ex still refuses to visit the wall. Each time I've visited, I've been overwhelmed - and still in the final left-most few inches still another name.

ROFL 'right-most' ---- was that dyslexic??

Some years back, I took my daughter with me on vacation to DC, and took her to the Wall. It was the first time for me, too.

I went to the section that covered my TOD, found a couple of names I knew, but realized I couldn't remember -- and in a couple cases never even knew -- the names of some.

When we got back home, I dug up some old pics, and couldn't put names to all the faces.

It made me realize that if we didn't commemorate these guys -- fram all the wars -- in some way, they'd be totally forgotten, even by their comrades in arms.

Memory is a fragile thing.

Excellent timing. Right now the "greatest deliberative body in the world" (aka the Bullsh**ers) is debating surrender in Iraq. They're going down the same path as their predecessors walked many years ago voting for quitting in Vietnam.
To me the "Wall" not only represents the heroism of the generation who did their duty, it demonstrates the high cost of freedom. I've visited the "Wall" a few times years ago and have always come away with a greater appreciation for my 'Nam comrades. I have also been part of a veterans group that sponsored the half scale traveling "Wall" here in the Denver Metro Area. It's a very moving sight to see someone going up to the "Wall" and rubbing someone's name.
I would encourage every one to try to visit the "Wall" in DC or the traveling "Wall" if it comes to your city. In addition please take the time and visit a National Cemetery. While you're there count those white headstones. Another reminder of the cost of freedom. Take the time also to thank our current generation who are wearing the uniform if you should meet one. God Bless you Charles.
An ole Korean War Vet (with tears in his eyes)

For many years I taught a communications class to managemant types and I used my experience at The Wall as part of the class. aMany of them had been there.

People who were old enough during Vietnam to realize what was going on basically had the same reaction as I did - we weren't expecting the overwhelming emotional reaction. But the younger they were the less effect The Wall had on them - excluding military types.

I'm not sure I can explain that.

Don't be too hard on your ex - at least on this score. My son was stationed at Fort Meade in 1984. He took us around to see the Washington places of interest. He had been to The Wall before, But when he took us, he didn't make the trip along the walk. I think it's just too much for many of these guys to handle if they don't have to.

Of course it was dyslexic. Everything is dyslexic.

Thenmks for the comment. Memory is a fragile - and it keeps getting worst.

Thanks.

Well stated. Thanks for taking the time. I'm sure your thoughts reflect what most of us think.

But I just saw it through your eyes. Brilliant writing. I agree, you should post it every memorial day in the future!

Aside from the fact it will save this lazy old geezer from coming up with original content, I'd really like to post again on "Memorial Day."

If you're ever in the area of The Wall or the traveling version, don't miss it.

I went to D.C. when I was 12 years of age. It was a school class event, somewhere around 60 students and three teachers. While every single student and all three teachers were more interested in what We were going to have for lunch, I spent a roll of Kodak capturing The Wall. I remember it more than ever.

I have all my D.C. pictures on my coffee table next to a couple of books I treasure.

Mr. Mudgeon, the Love for this Nation and the Respect We have for Freedom and the price for which She is purchased is in Our Soul. Superb post.

Check out my reply to Scottie. With exceptions, I think the age of person has a whole lot to do with the amount of interest and respect given The Wall and other memorials. Mostly, I blame the schools and the parents for that.

Thaks for the comment, my man.

Late January, 1973. My father has a business trip to DC and Raleigh, NC. My mother and I accompany him. We're driving around at night, checking out DC under the lights. We are directly in front of the White House when the church bells start ringing and the radio kicks in with the Hallelujiah Chorus. We're wondering what in the *#$%^ is going on. Heck, I'm a couple of months from my 8th birthday, but I'm still noting that this ain't a usual occurance. Church bells don't go off all over a city at night. When we got back to our hotel and turned on the TV, we found out that the final US ceasefire had just gone into effect.

When we were stationed here, north of Filthadelphia, from 95-99, we visited DC a couple of times. The Wall was a place we had to go every time. My wife's father almost got his name on that monument a couple of times.

that may be ending the same way and for the same reason - micro-managing politicians who are afraid to win. Glad I didn't walk by your father-in-laws mane when I went that day.

Thanks for dropping by Kilroy's. To answer your question, I'd be proud to be added to your blogroll and honored to return the favor!

Wow, you liked me! You really liked me!

(thus ends my Sally Field moment)

-K

get on my friend JimmyCarter's blogroll, my life would be complete!

*hint-hint*

I didn't realize how young some of y'all are!

Very touching...it must be overwhelming to see it...

Thanks for sharing your column here...

Overwhelming it is. At least for some of us who have successfully attained a certain age.

As I said to Sandra, if you get a chance to see, don't miss it.

Son, who'd you think you were dealing with, a bunch of kiddy-gardeners?

I call JC's hometown my home as well, and he still hasn't added ME to his blogroll.

A very powerful essay. As one of the "kiddy gardener" crowd (I turned 15 in Decemember '75) I readily confess to being of an age group that wasn't challenged the way that our (slightly older) brothers were, nor in a way that our sons and daughters are now. Many of us regard with awe the personal courage and fortitude that those who fought for our future exhibited. By the fortune of chance, we are of that lost period in history who strive to remember and honor those better men who went before us as we honor their sons and grandsons who defend us now. Thanks for reminding us young punks who we have to thank for our for the little window of peace we were blessed to have grown up in. While we didn't pay for that time, thousands upon thousands of others did. May God grant them the peace and comfort that their brief lives did not see.

My experience is that agewise you're right on the bubble - where you come down depends on schools and parents. Clearly you've come down where I think you ought to be. But the younger a person is, the less positive the influence that has come from the schools, so the parents have a larger burden. Sometimes they are up to it, sometimes they aren't

12 years ago, I saw it for the first time. And what you describe is perfect.

I saw a Vet with his face pressed against the cool granite, hands gingerly placed and he was reciting the Lord's Prayer for his buddy. I walked away out of respect, but feeling so crushed for that man, obviously saying goodbye to his friend for the second time. And, in March with the GOE Rally, I saw much more, but this time, I got to protect it and feel like I'd done something.

have come across anyone who didn't remember their first time at The Wall. Even if they didn't have the same reaction as I had, they remember it clearly. Thanks for the story about your experience.

This put a lump in my throat and tears in my eyes.
Thank you for writing it. Thank you for helping us remember.

It's nice to see someone your age feling that way. You was fetched up right, young 'un.

Thank you so much for sharing your article with us. Even though I worked in DC I didn't go to the wall until my brother who lives in Texas let me know he was coming up to VA to visit.

So we went together and didn't even notice we were there for over 3 hours. He did the tracing of the men he served with while he was there and I looked at the names of friends who went but didn't come home.

Neither of us said a word the entire time and even when we started to leave we just sort of drifted back to the car at the same time. We didn't say a word until almost back home to Woodbridge, VA. My brother has never said one word to me about his time there neither did my other half about his time there. I don't know if they ever talked to each other when I wasn't around but they used to just look at each other when someone else brought something up and go on. I doubt they ever said a word out loud to each other about their time there. It is a silent thing for them.

Again thank you.