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THE WALL

IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
edited November 2008 in US Military Veteran Forum
will be in Oregon over the Memsorial Day weekend I believe....I got to go to Washington DC and it was amazing.......Lots of feelings....It was interesting to see a display of things that had been left at The Wall in the Smithsonian....I got to pay tribute to a couple comrades and soak it all in....Lots of Vets there......am going to try and make it down to Portland and see it this weekend.....

Comments

  • IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
    edited November -1
    Veterans Day 2007 will be the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Anyone going to be there?
  • IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
    edited November -1
    I wrote this after my first visit to the Wall. I have not shared much but I want to now.

    Standing, Staring, Looking At the Wall

    By C.G. Woodard

    At dawns first light he sees it, standing cold and dark and wet,
    Half hidden by the ghost like fog, the crowd hasn't got here yet.
    He hears it has the power, to take away his pain,
    He's come to see and take a chance, he has everything to gain.
    He reaches out to touch it, afraid of what he'll feel.
    Chokes back his fears, holds back his tears and swears he will not flee.

    Standin', starin', lookin' at the wall,
    He hasn't seen their faces, since the night they gave their all,
    He's waited thirty years, to answer to their call,
    And now he's standin', starin', lookin' at the wall.

    He reaches for the wall once more, one look and then he'll go,
    Haunting eyes stare back at him, still empty, filled with woe.
    The scars upon his body are not the ones he feels,
    His mind is where his trouble lies; he's here to get it healed.
    He starts his search upon the wall, new guilt with every name,
    So many names are listed, this once great nations shame.

    Their names are like a roll call list, etched in that cold black stone,
    He should be listed with them, but he's standing here alone,
    As he re-lives the battle, a chill runs through his bones,
    He remembers now how each one looked and knows he's not alone,
    He seeks in its reflection, an answer to their call,
    It's their eyes staring at him now, forgiving from the wall.

    Standin', starin', lookin' from the wall,
    He hasn't seen their faces, since the night they gave it all,
    They waited thirty years, for him to answer to their call,
    Now their standin', starin', lookin' from the wall.

    Semper Fi
  • IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
    edited November -1
    I'm finally taking my trip to The Wall next month. Does anyone who has made the trip have any tips for an old warrior. I've got twenty three buddies to salute.

    Thanks Smoky
  • rcbsmanrcbsman Member Posts: 63 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    As a vet of the war the trip I took to wall 10 years ago was a moment in my life that took me back and finding only one name before I lost it was an experience I will never forget rcbsman
  • givettegivette Member Posts: 10,886
    edited November -1
    The wall? No. Visited the plywood version when they set it up in my town. Joe
  • 11b6r11b6r Member Posts: 16,584 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    For anyone that has NOT been to the wall, and gets the chance- go. No, it's OK. Really. And if makes you feel that way- it's OK bro- I guarantee you won't be the first to fell like that. WHATEVER that is for you. It is worth the visit. There are usually some fellow vets around. Go. Best chance we will ever have to pay respects to some of our friends. Go.
  • ibuiltmine-o1ooibuiltmine-o1oo Member Posts: 120 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Hello!
    My dad was in vietnam from 71 to 72ish....
    He didnt have any outwardly problems, he s been a great dad to his 3 boys, although he was discharged for battle fatigue, and taking shrapnel fire in his ankle....
    he taks about it if i ask, but doesnt volunteer the info very easily.
    Do you think it would be cool to ask him to go on a trip there with me?
    Im kinda nervous asking him.
  • olddog1olddog1 Member Posts: 5 ✭✭
    edited November -1
    I think it would be super cool. If you are truly interested in what happened to him that long ago.
  • IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
    edited November -1
    I`d like to go back one more time, just don`t want to make the long drive by myself. If I can find someone to make the trip with, I`ll be in DC for Veterans Day!
  • dheffleydheffley Member Posts: 25,000
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Ironrifle
    I`d like to go back one more time, just don`t want to make the long drive by myself. If I can find someone to make the trip with, I`ll be in DC for Veterans Day!


    If Sandy could be by herself, I would be glad to pick you up and make the trip with you, but she needs me here.
  • IronrifleIronrifle Member Posts: 664
    edited November -1
    Danny, I totally understand! Sandy comes before anything else! Hopefully, someday we will meet? My best to you and yours.
  • MMOMEQ-55MMOMEQ-55 Member Posts: 13,134
    edited November -1
    After my last visit no I will never go back. Spent many years trying to forget and with one visit relived the whole damm war.
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