Comments on: The Wall.

By: JerseyJerry

JerseyJerry — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 17:43:41 +0000

I had visited the wall years ago and have gazed upon the names of three people I knew. People who also would be the same age as I am now. One was 19 years old when he was struck down in that faraway place. And, like you, Jim, I looked at my own Army experience at that time as the luck of the draw. I too, could have been one of those names. I had received orders for ‘Nam, but they were rescinded. My experience of standing in front of “the wall” was one filled with emotion. I will never forget it.

By: Joe

Joe — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:42:41 +0000

Rick,
Please go, it helps the healing process. Made the trip in 1995 with a buddy of mine still on active duty at Quantico(never could have done it without him).
Joe

By: Laura

Laura — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 01:04:55 +0000

The Wall made me cry. I’ll admit it. Just seeing all those names…

By: Michael in CT

Michael in CT — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:59:18 +0000

I’m too young (40 now) to have been a Vietnam Veteran and my service was only 3 years in the CT Army National Guard, but the The Wall has an effect that I’m not sure I have the words to correctly describe. It is peaceful, somber and simple. It is also, to my mind, the best memorial to our fallen soldiers, regardless of the war.
I remember some of the controversy over the design of the Wall before it was built, many people, especially veterans, wanted a more “conventional” memorial, similar to the ones already in DC. If you haven’t seen the Wall make time to go see it. Washington DC, despite being inhabited by Congress critters, is really worth touring.

By: Jean

Jean — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:45:57 +0000

I haven’t been to D.C. since I was 13. damn.
45 years ago. Way past time for a good long visit.

I’m glad you had a good day there, Jim.
Thank you for your service.

By: Gary

Gary — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 22:21:30 +0000

When you first see it, your like “so that’s it”. Then you walk toward it and before you know it, your simply overwhelmed. It reaches you on so many levels. A remarkable memorial. God Bless them all.

By: recondo32

recondo32 — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 21:54:00 +0000

My first visit to the wall was in the middle of the night. I still can’t even handle the traveling wall, maybe someday.

Rick

By: Maria Edi

Maria Edi — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 16:28:37 +0000

“A trip to The Wall should be mandatory for every American at least once….if for no other reason than to see what freedom costs.

Comment by RobbieRob — November 13, 2009 @ 9:03 am”
All I can say is … AMEN!!

Maria Edi, from Brasil

By: Yabu

Yabu — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 15:40:39 +0000

I’ve been to THE WALL several times. I knew several of them as well, but I feel like I know ‘em all.

Did you tear up? I did, every visit.

God Bless ‘em all.

By: Erica

Erica — Fri, 13 Nov 2009 13:30:11 +0000

I’m glad you had such a meaningful experience…I, too, have seen The Wall but, alas, was too young to understand its meaning at the time…11 years old…I didn’t even know what or where Vietnam was at that age, but, as one grows older and learns a little, one thing I have learned about The Wall, and which seizes my heart every time I think about it, is just thinking about all those names…on that one Wall. As diverse as those men were, both in who they were and where they came from, their heroism and Americanism completely unify them…they become one. It truly moves me just thinking about it. You were very lucky, but because of them we are all very lucky, too.