The Wall - Veteran's Day
As I approached The Vietnam War Memorial Wall I was moved by the flowers, pictures, and letters that were left behind by friends and relatives of the people whose names were etched in the black marble. I had come all the way from Las Vegas to see The Wall, however this was not my journey. They was my father’s pilgrimage. He didn’t know it at the time, but this was something he had to do.
As I watched my father standing before The Wall I could see him transform into that proud man he had been in another time and another place. I could see the proud, young soldier he had been so many years ago fighting a war he didn’t understand in a country he never even knew existed before. I walked ahead to give him some time alone. This was his moment - it was his moment to remember faces and names of friends, not ever forgotten, but pushed deep into the dark corners of his mind. It was his moment to come to terms with is private demons. It was his moment to weep. It was his moment to heal.
As I walked beside The Wall, I read name after name of people who were just like father was so many years ago. I reached out and ran my fingers over the name of someone I had never known or would ever know. It was at that moment I understood what I was looking at was much more than just names etched in black marble. Each name on The Wall was a person whose life had been cut short. The people whose names appeared on The Wall had left behind mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives, husbands, daughters, and sons. For every name on The Wall there was a story - a story that I would never know
As I walked the path leading away from The Wall I overheard a small boy ask his father why his name was not on The Wall. The father looked down at the piece of paper with a name rubbed in black crayon, then he turned to his son and said, “because my friend saved me and took my place…” I could see the tears running down the father‘s face as he looked away.
This trip had begun as my father’s journey, but in the end it had become mine too. He came to The Wall to heal…
I came to The Wall…to understand.
Categories: Holidays, Observations, Family
Tags: Father Veteran's Day
I, also, have experienced The Wall on several occasions ... the emotions ... the overwhelming feeling of raw pain, the how, where & why did they have to die, etc. I have classmates whose names are listed among those. Those are kids who hungout at my parents home & that I ran into in the halls at school. This past summer, I attended my class reunion. I had very little (if anything) in common with my female classmates but some of the guys & I kicked back discussed veterans issues & life in general. We talked about those who served in Vietnam - didn't return, returned but are still suffering & those feel that they should have served their country. I volunteered for the military on many occasions & finally went on active duty after the Vietnam War was officially over. (I was in a teacher education program or teaching in a critical area.) I still "serve" my country as a volunteer with veterans organizations & working with my fellow veterans. I am still affected by The Wall. Now we have "The Wall" for generations past & present.
My Dad & my uncles believed (& I agree) that everyday is Veterans Day. On this Veterans Day, I will participate in the Veterans Day parade, pay homage to those who have served & hangout with many of my fellow veterans.
Healing seams to be a lifelong process.
I am a Veteran.
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Fantastic post Tony. Great things for us all to take to heart.
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@Ms. Bullwinkie - until I actually saw The Wall in real life I never knew how powerful and emotional it was. When you to see it, it's almost as if you're walking into a church, people just stop talking and you can feel the emotions in the air. We should remmeber our Veterans everyday and be thankful for the things they've done and sacrificed for us. Thanks
@Jim - Thanks. I work with Veterans and even in doing so, I sometimes take them for granted in my everyday dealings. I know I shouldn't and they should be remembered on more than just this one day - it's something I'll be working on.
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Beautiful story Tony, thanks for sharing.
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Tony,
What a beautiful story you have told here. I think going to The Wall, would be very moving for anyone. I once visited the Arizona Memorial in Hawaii, it was very moving, they have a wall in the memorial as well. No one speaks, they all wisper but most people don't say or wisper anything they just take it all in.
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@Laura - I may take you up on that writing thing maybe I can send them somewhere - thanks.
@Jessica - That's what it's like at The Wall, it's as if you just stepped into a great and wonderful church - you don't even want to speak because to do would be disrespectful.
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I observed and found a different perspective on The Wall. I participated in the Veterans Day Parade, by helping to carry the PVA banner, a great honor. I enjoyed the commardarie of my fellow veterans, heard the cheers as we passed by, saw veterans of many generations, their families, friends & yes pets. The Wall represents veterans who have paid the ultimate price ... that price has & will affect past & present generations to come.
Point to ponder ... As my Dad & uncles believed, everyday is Veterans Day.
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