Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall

[Fishnclifff]

Went to visit the Wall today with my wife. her best freind's uncle was lost in the war. I have the priveledge of not losing any relatives in that war, so i wasn't prepared for what i experienced.
I served 8 yrs in the Airforce after vietnam.
While looking for Cap't Harley Hall's name, an active duty Marine came up to the wall and found his father's name. His comment" he's not gone, he will always be somewhere".
he was accompanied by the corpsman that served with his father, now a minister. The minister offered to say a prayer fo the Marine and his father. The other vets close by hurried to join him and show their support, they all held hands during the prayer. each offered a salute to his father afterwards.
We found Cap't hall's name on the wall, made an etching with pencil and paper, and met some of his relatives and freinds.
This display is a dedication, not only to the Vietnam vets, but to all vets dating back to the revolutonary way, and all who serve, police, fire etc.
This is a huge reminder that what we have is not given to us,
 IT HAS BEEN EARNED.

[boneaddict]

Two places I don't think you can prepare for, the wall, and Arlington......very sobering
I'm ashamed my president didn't have time to go there this year.   

[JackOfAllTrades]

If you ever make it to the Arlington/DC area, visiting the wall... The emotions start as you walk away from the parking lot. I also had no relatives that parished in VietNam, but did Korea. The memorials that we have in the U.S. should be visited by every citizen.

And maybe even by the illegals!

-Steve

[alecvg]

My uncle is on that wall.  I hope to have the privilage of paying my respect to it in the future.

[vmkeith]

My dad served during Vietnam...most of which he will not talk about.  It was about 20 yrs ago, but I made a trip to DC with the old man, and we went to see the Wall.  I had never seen my dad cry before, and haven't since.  Unless you served during Vietnam, and deployed there, I don't think anybody will really understand the emotions people go through when visiting the different war memorials, but to me, it makes me proud to know my father served his country during a very, very trying chapter in our Nation's history.

[dawei]

My dad served during Vietnam...most of which he will not talk about.  It was about 20 yrs ago, but I made a trip to DC with the old man, and we went to see the Wall.  I had never seen my dad cry before, and haven't since.  Unless you served during Vietnam, and deployed there, I don't think anybody will really understand the emotions people go through when visiting the different war memorials, but to me, it makes me proud to know my father served his country during a very, very trying chapter in our Nation's history.

I'm a Vietnam vet X2 and I cry every time I visit the wall. As for Arlington, I cry there too as my 3 year old son is interred there.

[oneshotkill]

I was in DC about a month ago and visited all of the war memorials as well as Arlington. I think that every American should be required to make that trip.  I have a friend that is about the most unemotional guy I know was crying as he watched the changing of the guard at the tomb of the unknown soldiers.  "Here Rests In Honored Glory An American Soldier Known But To God."
Another quote that I loved was on the Marine memorial, "Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue."

[rasbo]

Not a vet,never been to any of the memorials.Ive seen them in videos and pics,and the changing of the guard at the unknown tomb.I still weep...Doubt I will ever make it there,but that doesn't subtract anything from the feelings I have for the men and women who gave the ultimate sacrifice for this country..God bless them..when I read or listen to anything posted here or in the media, I  get pissed knowing there are people that could give a damn about them or the country they fought for,or the people they protected..
 I wish I could hug all the vets and their families and thank them....

[grandpawrichard]

I was able to visit the Wall when it came here to Burlington a few years ago. It was at the park just 2 blocks away from my house. I spent quite a few hours there just reading names and praying. One of my Best Friends from High School is listed on the wall.











The Wall is a Very Sobering and Emotional Place to visit! To me I could feel the presence of each and every Man and Woman listed on the Wall. Especially my friend Jim!

Dick

[Alchase]

I know of no "normal" person who could visit the wall and not be emotionally moved and completely humbled by selfless dedication of those represented.

The number 58,253, is easy to disassociate ourselves from.
All those names brings it right home! 

[vmkeith]

Of all the memorials and reminders of wars past, the place that affected me the most was the Hiroshima Peace Memorial in Hiroshima, Japan.  Yes, the bombing greatly contributed to ending the war in the Pacific, but the sheer loss of life and damage a man made object did is mind boggling.  In today's day and age, with the war on global terrorism, it scares the s@&t out of me thinking that any nut job could get his hands on a "dirty" bomb and detonate it.  Give me back the days of the Cold War, where each nation/side kept the other in check.