With thoughtful expressions, I belatedly write my tribute to the Vietnam Wall Memorial in Washington, DC. May God bless us all...
(Artist/Picture Credit: Lee Teter)
In the silence of a cold winter wind
I stood in awe
at the long black wall
My eyes watered and tears flowed
I went there with all my might
to pay homage to 58,195 Names etched in granite
A pilgrimage of sort
In silence they stare...
the reflections on the other side said
Why me and not you? with a glare
They talked to me
as if to reach from the other side
you see they each have a piece of you and me
in history
1968, 1972,
years gone by in solitude
Winter, summer, seasons strong
it must be lonely now
they are at home
but some did not make it yet
they call them MIAs
like a missing persons report
but these names are too precious
only the passage of time forgives
will there be a healing?
the war protestors, the flags burning?
tested youth locked in time
their memories do not fade
as we grow old
Generations may forget
but the granite wall does not
Medal of Honor winners, 153 in all
they gave their ultimate sacrifice
the greatest love, a selfless act
God will not ignore
Even women--- you can count them on the wall
In 1969, there’s 1LT Lane of Canton,Ohio
A beautiful nurse, a month shy of her 26th,
A bronze star to go with the shrapnel wounds longed claimed
Visitors come and go,
many leave a note or a memento
Here’s one from Joseph Sestito in 1997:
“...we have a responsibility to remember them.
They were not at fault.
They only did what they thought,
or were told,
what was right.
We cannot blame them.
To kill, we are like most animals,
but to defend we are most like angels...”
So I came to get a rubbing of a name for a friend,
Who couldn’t bear the deep sorrow and regret
I got the rubbing alright but he didn’t want it...
A grown man who cried but the pain was too much
So I leave him be like all the names in stone
To recall what Jesus on the cross said to make me strong...
Forgive, forgive, forgive...
Now I am in another war far away, what shall I say
when the Fallen Comrade comes by on his way home?
In silence from afar, I look to the talking wall
to make the pain go away...
God bless you, Myles....for your service to God and Country, for your service now,to these fallen heroes.
I haven't made it to WDC, but the Travelling Wall made it to me some time ago. I found the name of my schoolmate back then, Paul Angert, and just as if it was breaking news, I relapsed into that horrible time, sobbing and mourning all over again. The only difference is, back then, my own brother was there, too. War never stops hurting.
I cherish the rubbing, and I esteem your Tribute, Myles.
Hugs and Blessings, Rhonda
Reviewed by Tiana Jett (Reader)
Reviewed on July 25, 2007
May they never be forgotten, Myles ... I remember how heart wrenching it was for me when I read all the names of those whom we lost at Pearl Harbor ... Very heartfelt and so wonderfully written, ho'aikane ... aloha - Tiana
As a Veteran, I salute and thank you for remembering the ultimate cost of freedom. A most priceless reminder in tearful lines...the Black Granite wall is not silent. Well done, Sir.
Myles - This is so good! It is one of the best tributes to the fallen that I've ever read. You did a super job with this tender and misunderstood mess. Thank you. I feel so close to the guys and gals who fought there, partly because, if that war had not ended when it di, my son, a brand new 2nd Lt., out of Clemson, served only three months at Ft. Benning in columbus, GA, and was gratefully released.
I am forwarding or copying the article to several vets. Thanks, again. - Bill
325 letters my father wrote to my mother during his time in World War II.
Woven together in a timeline of events of three of his brothers, 5 brothers-in-law, and one cousin, all 10 of them were in WWII at the same time.
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I haven't made it to WDC, but the Travelling Wall made it to me some time ago. I found the name of my schoolmate back then, Paul Angert, and just as if it was breaking news, I relapsed into that horrible time, sobbing and mourning all over again. The only difference is, back then, my own brother was there, too. War never stops hurting.
I cherish the rubbing, and I esteem your Tribute, Myles.
Hugs and Blessings, Rhonda
As a Veteran, I salute and thank you for remembering the ultimate cost of freedom. A most priceless reminder in tearful lines...the Black Granite wall is not silent. Well done, Sir.
(((HUGS))) and love, Karla.
but the granite wall does not
None of us should ever forget, and it's a place everyone should visit at least once.
Most powerfully penned, my friend.
I am forwarding or copying the article to several vets. Thanks, again. - Bill