 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 war that 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 that is 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 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 all right. Carry on with your life and
don't worry about me.......I can see as I look into her eyes that she
hears and understands me and a big burden has been lifted from her. 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. |
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 Good Bye, but to say Hello and be together again, even for a short
time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share. Today, an
irresistible and loving call comes from 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
regretted 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!.......It's...it 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.
One of
them 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.