Vietnam Wall Memorial

[Blackrock]

The traveling Vietnam wall came to town this weekend (Safford Arizona) I have only seen it in passing but I am preparing myself to check and see the names of my cousin and two other guys I served with over there. I know there must be more names I know but after 37 years my old brain can't put names to faces too readily.

[nathangdad]

Good wishes to you as you check out the memorial.
I understand the pain of those who went to Vietnam
but only a person who was there can truly feel the pain.

Sometimes forgetting is the way the mind shields itself from
things best not recalled.

Good luck and God Bless

[turner]

Thank you for your service, and sacrifice. I was stationed in the D.C. area in the late 80s and visited the wall several times. There was something I noticed on all my visits there. People start at the low part of the wall and walk towards the higher center portion from either end. Although people are normally talking as they begin to walk alongside the wall, as they near the center... most all talking stops. They see the enormity of the number of names there...whether they know someone or not, and it becomes erily silent. I like it.... It makes me know that they all are realizing what sacrifices were made by everyday people, so that they might live in freedom and peace on these shores.

[.22hustler]

Good luck and best wishes Turner.. I know quite a few of those names myself, 5 total..

[just_a_car]

I had chance to visit the permanent memorial in DC at the age of 14 and, not knowing any names, went solemnly... knowing that my father might, as he served "In-Country" at Tan Son Nhut, AFB in North Saigon. I had asked him prior to leaving if there were any names he'd want me to look for, but he said no.

It was the one memorial that I wanted to spend the most time at, even though it was one of the simplest.

[Blackrock]

This is an awsome display. The wall is 80% of the original plus there are displays of names of casualtys from Grenada and on up through the present conflict along with some other factoids of America at war since the Revolution. There are volunteers on site that run the names and give you panel and line number so you can find who you are looking for. They managed to shoehorn this whole thing into a corner of our city park.

Last Saturday the 'Wall" convoy was met at the New Mexico state line by about 800+ motorcycle riders and escorted on into Safford a distance of about 50 miles. All in all a pretty neat thing to have here for a week.

[Windwalker]

To all you Vietnam Vets and all other Vets, past and present, "We the People" of the United States of America owe you a debt that can never be repaid. Without your sacrifices we wouldn't be living free in this great Country. To you Vietnam Vets. it was a travesty how you were treated When you came home. A lot of us respected what you had done for your Country and said so at the time. However, there were a bunch of chowderheads who were badmouthing to cover the yellow streak down their back because they didn't have the guts to go. You all have my utmost respect.

[Seabeescotty]

I've tried to go to the traveling wall a total of four times, and it's been a catastrophy for me. Too many, and too many people, and not enough healing. The last time, I thought the police were going to follow me all the way to my truck. My oldest son tells me I have to go to the big wall, and it will put things to rest for me. He said he noticed lots of emotion when he was there, and it seemed to do the folks good. I hope so! Thank you Windwalker, you're always there for vets, and we appreciate it. Blackrock, I hear the traveling wall is pretty good, but if you got guys to talk to, you gotta go to the big wall. Bless 'em all!