Memorial Day 2005

We are reminded that they died so that we could live and continue to cherish the things they loved ---God, country and family.

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.
"Moina Michael"

There is a price to be paid for freedom, be it ours or a neighboring land that seeks their own freedom and democracy.

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Hopefully we will all use this thread to share remembrances through this Memorial Day.
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I think too many people forget the sacrifice our military past present and future give so that we can enjoy the freedom of this great nation. God Bless all those who serve.

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Marine Corporal Charles Gene Abrell, 19, of Terre Haute, Indiana, won the Medal of Honor in Korea for sacrificing his life while leading an assault on enemy positions.

The nation's highest decoration for valor was awarded to the youthful Marine for extraordinary heroism on June 10, 1951 at Hangnyong, where he hurled himself bodily into an enemy bunker with a live hand grenade, killing himself and the enemy gun crew in the explosion.

Corporal Abrell was the 14th Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for Korean fighting. Born August 12, 1931 at Terre Haute, he attended public schools in Las Vegas, Nevada, before enlisting in the Marine Corps August 17, 1948 at the age of 17.

Following recruit training at Parris Island, South Carolina, he was assigned to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and also served aboard the USS Noble before going to Korea with the First Marine Division.

He was in action at Inchon, Seoul, Wonsan, Chosin Reservoir, and Hanghum, before the assault on a hill near Hwachon in which he was killed.

Corporal Abrell also was awarded the Letter of Commendation with Commendation ribbon with Combat “V”, the Purple Heart, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Occupation Service Medal with Europe clasp, Korean Service Medal with three Bronze Stars, and the United Nations Service Medal.

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Originally Posted by GlenC

I think too many people forget the sacrifice our military past present and future give so that we can enjoy the freedom of this great nation. God Bless all those who serve.

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I have always believed that Veterans Day is the day when you pay tribute to all that have served. Memorial Day is the day when you pay tribute to only those that made the ultimate sacrifice. Just my thoughts..

This is for all the sailors on the USS Forrestal that fought against the fire that took so many of their lives. God Bless all the sailors that lost their lives and may he be always with their families and friends to comfort those that remained. Indeed, not to be forgotten.........as all those lost in service of God and Country.

http://members.tripod.com/~MrHugs2/forrestal.htm

personally, i believe that respect should be paid EVERY DAY to those that served and/or died. These just happen to be the days that our United States Government decided to set aside for memorials.

Your right vet68;; it is a time to honor the people that gave the ulimate sacrafice and died for what they believed in as do I, God, Country & Freedom.
May all the family's of the fallen be remembered, as well as the fallen Hero's in your prayers this coming week. Gone But Not Forgotten.

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Originally Posted by Gar-Getter

personally, i believe that respect should be paid EVERY DAY to those that served and/or died. These just happen to be the days that our United States Government decided to set aside for memorials.

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Not actually, GG

Here is a brief history that some may be surprised at....
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In 1865, Henry C. Welles, a druggist in the village of Waterloo, NY, mentioned at a social gathering that honor should be shown to the patriotic dead of the Civil War by decorating their graves.
In the Spring of 1866, he again mentioned this subject to General John B. Murray, Seneca County Clerk. General Murray embraced the idea and a committee was formulated to plan a day devoted to honoring the dead.
Townspeople adopted the idea wholeheartedly. Wreaths, crosses and bouquets were made for each veteran's grave. The village was decorated with flags at half mast and draped with evergreen boughs and mourning black streamers.
On May 5, 1866, civic societies joined the procession to the three existing cemeteries and were led by veterans marching to martial music. At each cemetery there were impressive and lengthy services including speeches by General Murray and a local clergyman. The ceremonies were repeated on May 5, 1867.
The first official recognition of Memorial Day as such was issued by General John A. Logan, first commander of the Grand Army of the Republic. This was General Order No. 11 establishing "Decoration Day" as it was then known. The date of the order was May 5, 1868, exactly two years after Waterloo's first observance. That year Waterloo joined other communities in the nation by having their ceremony on May 30.

thanks vet, i stand corrected

This country we live in has had it ups and downs but there have always been the men and women who have stepped up to lay their lives on the line for us. We are indeed blessed by our Creator every day, and it is the least we can do to pay tribute and honor to those stood where no one else did and gave what no one else could.

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Originally Posted by labill

This is for all the sailors on the USS Forrestal that fought against the fire that took so many of their lives. God Bless all the sailors that lost their lives and may he be always with their families and friends to comfort those that remained. Indeed, not to be forgotten.........as all those lost in service of God and Country.

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Here are your boys, labill

Marvin J. Adkins * Everettt A. Allen * Gary J. Ardeneaux Tony A. Barnett * Dennis M. Barton * Robert L. Bennett

Mark R. Bishop * James L. Blaskis * William V. Brindle

Bobby J. Brown * Jerry D. Byars * Marvin F. Campeau

Jack M. Carlan * Daniel G. Cavazos * Ray A. Chatelain

Richard D. Clendenen * William D. Collins * Robert B. Cotton

James L. Crenshaw * Mario C. Crugnola, Jr. * Robert J. Davies

Thomas J. Dawson, Jr. * Jerold V. Despard * Edward R. Dorsey

Joseph G. Dugas * Paul A. Dupere * John S. Duplaga

Walter T. Eads * James A. Earick * John T. Edwards

Gerald W. Farrier * Kenneth L. Fasth * John J. Fiedler

Russell L. Fike * Harold Fontenot * Johnnie L. Frazier

Gerald G. Fredrickson * Herbert A. Frye * Ramon Garza

Robert E. Geller * Richard H. Gibson * Laurence J. Gilbert

William T. Gilroy * Larry E. Grace * Russell A. Grazier

Charles C. Gregory * William C. Hartgen * Robert L. Hasz

Richard A. Hatcher * William K. Hinckley * Stephen L. Hock

Larry D. Holley * Calvin D. Howison * Philip L. Hudson

Julius B. Hughes * Donald N. Hugo * Ralph W. Jacobs

Donald W. Jedlicka * William B. Justin * Thomas M. Kane

Charles D. Kieser * Joseph Kosik III * Edward L. La Barr

Wade A. Lannom, Jr. * William Lee * Robert C. Leonberg

John T. Lilla * Arnold E. H. Lohse * Charles E. Long

William E. Lowe * Kenneth W. Lozier * James S. MacVickar, Jr.

Ralph E. Manning * Earle E. McAuliffe, Jr. * Brian D. McConahay

George C. McDonald * Frank C. McNelis, Jr. * William V. McQuaide

Allan R. Metz * George D. Miller * Edward A. Mindyas

Hubert H. Morgan, Jr. * Leroy Moser * James E. Neumeyer

Gary E. Newby * James E. Newkirk * Ronald R. Ogring

Thomas D. Ott II * Wayne H. Ott * Richard L. Owens

Richard T. Pinta * Raymond N. Plesh * John C. Pody

Ernest E. Polston * Douglas A. Post * Robert M. Priviech

John M. Pruner * Robert A. Rhuda * Charles R. Rich

Jerry P. Rodgers * Dale R. Ross * James M. Runnels

Harvey D. Scofield * Joseph C. Shartzer * William J. Shields

Richard M. Sietz * David W. Smith * Richard T. Smith

John F. Snow * John C. Spiess * Nelson E. Spitler

Johnny W. Spivey * Gerry L. Stark * Walter E. Steele

Wendell W. Stewart * Robert A. Stickler * Kenneth D. Strain

Robert H. Swain * Delton E. Terry * Norman A. Thomas

William F. Thompson * Richard J. Vallone * Robert J. Velasquez

Juan A. Velez * George E. Wall * Harold D. Watkins

Gregory L. Webb * Gerald A. Wehde * Judson A. Wells, Jr.

Richard L. Wescott * Edward J. Wessells * Fred D. White

Kerry D. Wisdom * Robert L. Zwerlein

Not to be forgotten...

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A Shadow on the Wall

It was 2:00 a.m in the morning, when he came upon the wall...
a dark black "V" of granite, it stands not very tall.

The timing was premeditated, he had to be alone...
for it's very hard to hear, a voice that's etched in stone.

He paced those wings of black, looking for a friend...
and to reflect upon a moment in time, to a place where they'd once been.

Then the panel suddenly appeared, and the voice was once again heard...
a long lost friend had been found, among the whisper of his word.

In the silence of the night, it echoed from the wall...
"You can let it go now, and thanks for coming to call"

And then he moved away, the silhouetted wall began to fade...
but looking back he noticed......his shadow.... it had stayed .

Then came May 22, of 2004...
his shadow had moved to Bremond, to see the final door.

No longer only a voice, a voice only etched in stone...
his friend had come home now, no longer all alone.

Thirty-six years had passed, since he last stood beside his friend...
but now in Bremond Texas, a long journey would finally end.

Back once again with family, a family that waited so long...
beside his Mother and Father, that had taught him right from wrong.

Now my friend, my comrade in arms, my shadow can finally rest...
of all the friends I may ever have, you'll remain my very best.

I have met your distant friends, and what a brotherhood they are...
and now we are also like family, and will never stray very far.

And now to the final line, as many hearts begin to mend...
it is a privilege and an honor, to have you "Ham", to have
you as my friend.

Mike "Tiny" Readinger - VV68

Hannah's dad just left last Thursday for his second tour over seas...God Bless Him...........Before leaving Hannah, our granddaughter for those who don't know, wanted her dad to paint her up like him....Thought I would share it with you....

Thanks VV68.....the link I posted earlier had their names listed there too, and reading the names with the bagpipes playing I could scarcely read them thru the tears. Always effects me that way.

Shellback.....I"m guessing you've seen the post I made. I had you in mind too when I posted it. No one got off without the scars, whether they were physical or mental. Thanks for your service.

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Originally Posted by DonG

Hannah's dad just left last Thursday for his second tour over seas...God Bless Him...........Before leaving Hannah, our granddaughter for those who don't know, wanted her dad to paint her up like him....Thought I would share it with you....

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Thanks for sharing DonG......my heart goes out to her. I pray God looks out for her dad.

My Dad...Pat Bales, was a 23 year old Marine in the Korean war. He did one tour of combat and came home. After 4 months of thinking of his friends still there he re-enlisted after getting the Marines to promise that he would be sent back to Korea with his old unit....and did another tour of combat duty. I knew none of this until Mom told me after he died because he never talked about it. When I was growing up and would whine about something he would always tell me.."the service will make a man out of you and break you of all that whining". Then when I was 16 and a couple years shy of possibly being drafted and going to VietNam I overheard him telling a friend that he would volunteer to go in my place even at the age of 42 if they would let him so I would never have to experience the terrible things he did. My Dad was a hell of a man!! All the veterans on this board and across the country have my never ending gratitude for giving my children and grandchild a free and secure land to live in.

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Originally Posted by labill

This is for all the sailors on the USS Forrestal that fought against the fire that took so many of their lives. God Bless all the sailors that lost their lives and may he be always with their families and friends to comfort those that remained. Indeed, not to be forgotten.........as all those lost in service of God and Country.

http://members.tripod.com/~MrHugs2/forrestal.htm

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Bill, Myself and my squadron VF-74, was aboard Forrestal that day, 134 men were killed, 43 from my squadron alone. On another note, I guess you heard the Navy sank the America in a series of tests and explosions on May 14th of this year. Sad way for a grand ship to end it's life. America was the Navy's newest carrier when I was aboard Forrestal.

It's nice to see veterans of the current war in Iraq and Afga. getting the respect they deserve. Something that the Korean and Vietnam vets never got, a hero's welcome home.

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Originally Posted by Shellback

Bill, Myself and my squadron VF-74, was aboard Forrestal that day, 134 men were killed, 43 from my squadron alone. On another note, I guess you heard the Navy sank the America in a series of tests and explosions on May 14th of this year. Sad way for a grand ship to end it's life. America was the Navy's newest carrier when I was aboard Forrestal.

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No Shellback, I hadn't heard that about the America. A sad ending for an Attack Carrier....no, an ignominous ending might better describe it. She would have been a nuke and still afloat but for McNamara's cutback. I watch the news on a regular basis, but never heard anything about it. Thanks for the info. You haven't been posting much lately that I've seen, hope everything's ok with you and yours.

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Originally Posted by labill

No Shellback, I hadn't heard that about the America. A sad ending for an Attack Carrier....no, an ignominous ending might better describe it. She would have been a nuke and still afloat but for McNamara's cutback. I watch the news on a regular basis, but never heard anything about it. Thanks for the info. You haven't been posting much lately that I've seen, hope everything's ok with you and yours.

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Bill, I'm forwarding an email on the sinking of America to you, ( in case you missed this). It will be from my email addy [email protected] or it may have Brad Jones, the fellow who sent it to me, and it will have an attachment. All is well up this way except the weather! 50 degree high's and sometimes low's in the 30's. Had a frost last week!

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Originally Posted by Shellback

Bill, I'm forwarding an email on the sinking of America to you, ( in case you missed this). It will be from my email addy [email protected] or it may have Brad Jones, the fellow who sent it to me, and it will have an attachment. All is well up this way except the weather! 50 degree high's and sometimes low's in the 30's. Had a frost last week!

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Would you mind sending it to me also ?

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Originally Posted by Shellback

Bill, I'm forwarding an email on the sinking of America to you, ( in case you missed this). It will be from my email addy [email protected] or it may have Brad Jones, the fellow who sent it to me, and it will have an attachment. All is well up this way except the weather! 50 degree high's and sometimes low's in the 30's. Had a frost last week!

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Thanks Shellback, I thought it had to be from you. I would by far rather it had been made into a museum if for no other reason than its name, as it said in the article. Seems a shame to sink her, no more years than she had on her, now all we have of her are the memories, but at least they can't sink that. Thanks again for the mail!

In the 30's at night? No wonder the the weather's got you penned up. Not to make you jealous, but our nights are upper 70's and lower 90's in the afternoon. Our crappie are transitioning to their summer patterns and we're catching them at 6 to 9 ft in brush. No big numbers, but usually in the teens after culling, and on jigs. Bite seems better in the am and at dusk when it's cooling a bit, but we can catch throughout the day if we work tight to the brush. Check out some of our posts on "12 Mile Bayou." Nothin' spectacular, but some mighty fine eatin'!

My daughter's recital was last night. She is 15 and loves to dance. She wants to be on Broadway one day. You know, I think she will make it. However, there was a little african american girl who did a solo to the song " DADDY " by Beyonce. Can't spell her name. She dedicated her solo to him. And I thought he sure must be extremely proud,about now. Then after the recital was over,I had learned that the little girls father had been killed in Iraq. My heart ached for that little girl.

So,to those of you whom have lost loved ones due to military service. My heart aches for you as well. Rusty

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Originally Posted by fishingpox

My daughter's recital was last night. She is 15 and loves to dance. She wants to be on Broadway one day. You know, I think she will make it. However, there was a little african american girl who did a solo to the song " DADDY " by Beyonce. Can't spell her name. She dedicated her solo to him. And I thought he sure must be extremely proud,about now. Then after the recital was over,I had learned that the little girls father had been killed in Iraq. My heart ached for that little girl.

So,to those of you whom have lost loved ones due to military service. My heart aches for you as well. Rusty

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That's too sad Rusty. That girl must have had some pluck to stand up and sing for a lost father without losing it. It amazes me what kids can do, she's got to be a strong little lady.

Thanks for doing this. I had been thinking of how to initiate it, but you went the extra mile and got it done in a far better way with that tear jerker of an opening. It sure got things going, thanks again......

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Originally Posted by DmDuck

Would you mind sending it to me also ?

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Email on the America is on it's way, the message subject is " in case you missed this"

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Originally Posted by labill

Thanks Shellback, I thought it had to be from you. I would by far rather it had been made into a museum if for no other reason than its name, as it said in the article. Seems a shame to sink her, no more years than she had on her, now all we have of her are the memories, but at least they can't sink that. Thanks again for the mail!

In the 30's at night? No wonder the the weather's got you penned up. Not to make you jealous, but our nights are upper 70's and lower 90's in the afternoon. Our crappie are transitioning to their summer patterns and we're catching them at 6 to 9 ft in brush. No big numbers, but usually in the teens after culling, and on jigs. Bite seems better in the am and at dusk when it's cooling a bit, but we can catch throughout the day if we work tight to the brush. Check out some of our posts on "12 Mile Bayou." Nothin' spectacular, but some mighty fine eatin'!

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Labill, check out this fine forecast we have for this week! http://www.crh.noaa.gov/forecasts/PA...&city=Montrose A few of us had a little fishing get together this past Sunday. Fished in the morning and met for lunch, we were all gathered round the campfire trying to warm up while cooking some dogs up. I don't think I've had my windows open in the house more than a dozen times yet this spring. I think the crappie still have their fur coats on. LOL!

Anyone have anything to attach to this one?

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Michele Basso
Service: USMC
Age: 21
Home: North White Plains
State: New York
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Peter Frank Cruz
Service: USMC
Age: 21
Home: Chualar
State: California
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Johnnie Bruce Jackson
Service: USMC
Age: 20
Home: Fort Worth
State: Texas
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Howard Leo Joselane
Service: USMC
Age: 29
Home: Chicago
State: Illinois
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Lee Charles Kinney
Service: USMC
Age: 21
Home: Welch
State: Minnesota
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Arthur William Lamorte
Service: USMC
Age: 19
Home: Baltimore
State: Maryland
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Jimmy Allen Metcalf
Service: USMC
Age: 21
Home: Dallas
State: Texas
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

John Robert Murphy
Service: USMC
Age: 19
Home: Yorktown Heights
State: New York
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Frank Jr. Ramos
Service: USMC
Age: 33
Home: Youngstown
State: Ohio
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Daniel Edward Sirianni
Service: USMC
Age: 20
Home: Buffalo
State: New York
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Dennis Wayne Hammond*
Service: USMC
Age: 21 (when captured)
Home: Detroit
State: Michigan
Casualty Date: Captured 1968-02-08 (Died as POW 1970-03-07)
*Died in POW camp, remains returned in 2004

Joseph Stanley, Zawtocki Jr.*
Service: USMC
Age: 21 (when captured)
Home: Utica
State: New York
Casualty Date: Captured 1968-02-08 (Died as POW 1969-12-24)
*Died in POW camp, remains returned

Gregory Allen Gifford
Service: USN *USMC Corpsman
Age: 19
Home: Billings
State: Montana
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08

Charles Eugene Johnson
Service: USN *USMC Corpsman
Age: 23
Home: Toledo
State: Ohio
Casualty Date: 1968-02-08
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Here is a link to the story of how these brave men were lost.
http://www.mcldet471.com/echo4story.html

We tried,we tried,Oh God we tried
So we could be here too
And walk around remembering
And look for names we knew
Our lives were lost so far away
Upon a distant shore
But we are here in memory
As you read our names once more
Remember us,Remember us
Although we're truly gone
Remember us,as we once were
And not just names in stone

In Memory of Andy Alaniz and John W. Hutto....KIA, 27 Feb. 1991, Jalibah Iraq.

Here's to fallen comrades, till we meet again at the Last Muster.

"Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori"


Here is my favorite poem for Memorial Day....

In Flanders Fields
By: Lieutenant Colonel John McCrae, MD (1872-1918)
Canadian Army
IN FLANDERS FIELDS the poppies blow
Between the crosses row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

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Originally Posted by Shellback

Labill, check out this fine forecast we have for this week! http://www.crh.noaa.gov/forecasts/PA...&city=Montrose A few of us had a little fishing get together this past Sunday. Fished in the morning and met for lunch, we were all gathered round the campfire trying to warm up while cooking some dogs up. I don't think I've had my windows open in the house more than a dozen times yet this spring. I think the crappie still have their fur coats on. LOL!

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Reckon it's gonna rain? Keep your boat handy if you have to go to buy groceries, and don't forget a warm coat! We need some rain here. I'd like to find a moderate climate, it's too hot down here, and too cold up there. Guess I need to go back to the Andes Mountains. Avg. temp is between 70 to 75 degrees, but they don't have any crappie, just trout and other unidentifiable fish. :D

Thanks to all that gave their efforts and those that continue to give their time, that we can sleep in our warm beds each night! Thanks to each and everyone!!

My wife and I went up to Bedford Va. to the National D-Day memorial about a year ago. If any of you get the chance you need to visit. They have done a great job with this. The best thing about it was the veterans that were there telling there stories of what went on and what they did on the days of battle. Talked with one man that was on the beach from the beginning and it just amazes me the courage and bravery of all of these and every veteran that have fought for this great country. My hat and prayers are with all of you. Thank you very much for all that you have done. Billy

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Staff Sgt. Russell J. Verdugo, 34, of Phoenix, Ariz., died May 23, in Baghdad, Iraq, when an improvised explosive device detonated as he was responding to a report of an improvised explosive device. Verdugo was assigned to the 767th Ordnance Company, Fort McNair, Washington, D.C.

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Ran across this article and wanted to share it on this Memorial Day. It was written by a Vet that volunteered to help at the "Moving Wall." A story about his service there, his conversations and the people he met.

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"I came to see my son's name."

By Jim Schueckler
8219 Parmelee Rd. LeRoy NY 14482

Permission is hereby given to copy and distribute.

My job as a volunteer "visitor guide" was to help people find names on The Moving Wall Vietnam Veterans Memorial. More importantly, I gave visitors a chance to talk. While searching the directory or leading a visitor to the name they sought, I would quietly ask, "Was he a friend or a relative?" Over the six days, I began conversations that way with several hundred people. Only a handful gave me a short answer; almost everyone wanted to talk. Each had their own story to tell. For some, the words poured out as if the floodgates of a dam that had been closed for thirty years had just burst open. For others, the words came out slowly and deliberately between long pauses. Sometimes, they choked on the words and they cried. I also cried as I listened, asked more questions, and silently prayed that my words would help to heal, not to hurt.

"I came to see my son's name." I heard those and similar words from several parents who came to The Moving Wall. Their son had died in a war that divided our country like no other event since the Civil War. He died in a war that some Americans had blamed on the soldiers who were called to fight it. Some young men had no choice; they were called by the draft. Others, including some 30,000 women, were called differently, by a sense of duty to their family and nation.

Our culture mourns and respects our dead, but in the shadow of that bitter war, the sacrifices of those who died and their families were not allowed to have dignity. Mothers and fathers came to see that their sons had not been forgotten; that their names were remembered on that Wall; that someone else cares.

A frail and elderly mother came to The Moving Wall in a wheelchair. As we looked for her son's name, she described his interests during high school, and then the agonizing days when she was first told that her son was injured, then missing, then classified as "lost at sea". She asked me to thank all the other people who helped bring The Moving Wall to Batavia.

"'Till death do us part" came abruptly to thousands of marriages because of that war. I met two widows of men whose names are on the Wall. One woman showed me a picture of her husband and separate picture of their daughter — a man who never met his daughter, a girl who grew up without a father. I was painfully aware that had some Viet Cong soldiers been slightly better marksmen, my wife and son might have come to the Wall to see my name.

Sisters and brothers came to see a name. One brother so close in age that "People were always calling us by each other's name, and we both hated it." A sister said "I was so much younger than him I didn't realize why my Mom was crying when we said goodbye to him at the airport."

One brother confided that, although he had not been a war protester, his feelings and his first confrontation with the Wall in Washington were almost identical to those of the brother in the play "The Wall, a Pilgrimage". He said, "It was as if the actor had reached into my soul and exposed every one of my feelings about my brother and the war."

A group of four people stood near one panel. I offered to make a rubbing of a name. The man pointed to the name Paul D. Urquhart. I asked, "Is that Captain Paul Urquhart, the helicopter pilot?" The man nodded and said, "He’s my brother." I explained that I flew with Paul on his first tour in Vietnam and read that he had been shot down during his second tour. Paul's brother said that he and his family came from Pennsylvania on the anniversary date of Paul's becoming Missing In Action. I made a rubbing of Paul's name and added a rubbing of the Army Aviator wings from my hat, a symbol we had both
worn so proudly so long ago.

Aunts and uncles also came to see a special name on the Wall. One aunt said "He stayed overnight at our house so much that one neighbor thought he was our son." An uncle lamented: "I took him hunting. I was the one who taught him to like guns."

Cousins came to the Wall, and many said, "He was like a brother." One man asked me to look up the name Douglas Smith. I asked back, "Do you mean Doug Smith, a Marine, from North Tonawanda High School?" The man introduced me to his wife, Doug's cousin. She was pleased to be able to talk about Doug with a classmate who remembered him. I showed her Doug's name on my own, personal, list.

Veterans came to see the names of their buddies. Most of them were eager to tell me about their friend or how he died. Many remembered the day in great detail, and spoke of what's called survivor guilt. "He went out on patrol in my place that day." Or "If I hadn't been away on R & R (rest and recuperation), he wouldn't be dead." Others were bothered that they couldn't remember much about their friend because they had tried to "block
it out" for so many years. Another man said "I lost a few good friends while I was there (Vietnam), but I don't want to find just their names, because I feel the same about all 58,000 of these names."

"Tree-line vets" are men or women who have finally been able to go to a Moving Wall location, but are terrified of coming close enough to actually see some names that have been haunting them so many years. One such veteran stood for a long time some fifty feet from the Wall. My brothers Vic and Chris talked with him. After a while he and Vic were able to laugh about some of their common Marine Corps experiences and then they were finally able to approach, see, and touch, those names together.

Many people came to the Wall in the privacy or serenity of darkness. Our security men reported that there were only a few minutes each night that the Wall had no callers at all. One visitor spent several hours in the middle of the night standing in front of a certain panel. Whenever anyone came close, he would move away. When alone again, he would move back to that panel to continue his silent vigil. Still others came in the darkness
before dawn to watch the break of a new day over the Wall.

One vet came in a wheelchair. He could not talk or walk, but with great effort, Peter's shaking hand could scrawl messages on a pad. The nurse who pushed his wheelchair said that Peter had been excited about The Moving Wall visit since he first read about it in the Daily News. Peter came to see the name of his friend he thought had died in 1975, but he could not remember the man's name. They had been high school buddies and joined the
Army together. They went to boot camp and Vietnam together. Peter saw his friend die. At the bottom of panel 1 West I squatted down and read off the names of the small number of men and one American woman who died in Vietnam in 1975. Peter did not recognize any of the names.

The EDS computer operators ran a search, but found no Vietnam casualties from Peter's small hometown. We asked if his friend might have come from another town, and Peter wrote "Wales?" The computer search gave one name, but he was killed in 1968. I went back to Peter and asked, "Was his name Eric Jednat?” The shock on Peter's face, and then his tears, told us that we had found the right name. We moved to panel 53 West where we turned the wheelchair so Peter could touch his friend's name.

Many people came that were not related, but knew one or more of the men named on the Wall. A high school teacher told me "I taught four of these boys." Others said: "He was the little boy who lived across the street.” "We were going steady in high school.” "He delivered my newspapers.” "I was his Boy Scout leader.", "He went to our church.", "I worked with his mother at the time he was killed.", "My son played football with him.", or "We were classmates for twelve years." There were hundreds of similar personal connections between the visitor and one or more names on the Wall.

To other visitors, the names were not as personal, but still were significant: "I didn't know him, but I remember how it shocked the town when he died.” "I just wanted to pay my respects.” "I didn't know any of them, thank God.", "I came to show support for the vets who came back.", or "My son went to Vietnam, but he came back OK."

Others expressed amazement: "I wanted to see the names of the seven young men from Holley, I can't believe our little village lost so many boys.” "I had no idea so many lost their lives.” "Such a waste. Such a terrible, terrible, waste.” "I hope and pray we never go through that kind of war again.” or "Is this the price of peace?" Some visitors asked rhetorically: "Will mankind ever learn?"

Two weeks after the visit of The Moving Wall to Batavia, a friend told my wife "I don't understand all the concern about The Moving Wall; why don't people just forget about that dirty war?" For many, The Moving Wall does not need to be explained. Those who do not understand are, perhaps, more fortunate than those who do.

--the end--

I wasn't there ( too young ) my family wasn't there ....their wars were before this time ( Uncle a Pearl Survivor , Uncle WW2 D-Day (Airborne UnitI can't remeber which ) , Father Korea ) but I took the chance to visit the Moving Wall several years ago because I passed on the chance to go to Washington DC my senior year .

I never knew what to expect .... if I did know I think I would have passed the chance . I never knew how much my emotions were to come over me , I never understood how all the reading and research I had done would affect me . I had no clue when we released the Purple balloons with the POW/MIA from Indiana listed on them how much this minature version would take a hold of my heart .
I sit here typing with tears in my eyes remembering , thinking of how I'm about to enjoy dinner with my family and those on that wall never got to do that again . People I never knew , men and women from all walks of life , names without reference to race , or religion . People who gave their lives so you and I might be free .

If you ever have the opportunity to visit The Wall , take it .... see the Korean War Memorial ..... visit the World War 2 Monument .... but most of all ....Remember you are enjoying Freedoms that each and every Soldier who gave their lives are no longer enjoying ....wheather you knew them or not ....YOU OWE THEM YOUR RESPECT !!!

I too feel fortunate to have so many that have given their life for my freedom and for our country to remain strong and free - My Dad was in the Navy during Korea - had an uncle disabled in Vietnam - my Granddad was a POW in WWI - and a great uncle was killed in WWI - so this day is special for all my family

Great thread Gang!

I think for my last post on this thread, I'm going to post a short poem that I wrote many years ago......for me, it kind of says it all.

Country Boy

I'm but a country boy, here for just a short stay....
fortunate to experience FREEDOM, each and every day.

I have smelled the first warm days of Spring...
the Robin's arrival to delight...
the tug of a mighty fish, on a moonlit Summer's night.

The crispness of the Fall, and the beauty that it brings...
always having an ear for FREEDOM, and to hear the song it sings.

A childhood growing up. upon creek banks a constant camp...
with those you loved, a campfire burns, to warmth your turned from damp.

But for each good memory in each man's life, someone had to pay the price...
to never forget those that paid....now wouldn't that be nice.

The ability to "party-hearty", is not a God given right...
it's but a present from those that gave their all, with only FREEDOM within their sight.

By all means, live your life to the full, for whatever that it brings....
but always remember the price of Freedom, as it sings the song it sings.