T h e W A L L

At first there was no place for us to go
until someone put up that Black Granite Wall.
Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my Sisters
wait to see the many people from
places afar file in front of this Wall.
Many stopping briefly and many for hours and
some that come on a regular basis.
It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any
easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes
towards that war that we were involved
in have changed. I can only pray that the ones
on the other side have learned something
and more Walls as this one, needn't be built.

Several members of my unit and many that I did not
recognize have called me to the Wall
by touching my name that is engraved upon it.
The tears aren't necessary but are hard
even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me,
my Brothers.
This was my destiny as it is yours,
to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall, my Brothers,
so that we can share in the memories that we had.
I have learned to put the bad memories
aside and remember only the pleasant times
that we had together. Tell our other Brothers
out there to come and visit me,
not to say Good Bye
but to say Hello and be together again,
even for a short time and to ease that
pain of loss that we all share.

Today, an irresistible and loving call comes
from the Wall. As I approach I can see an
elderly lady and as I get closer I recognize her
It's Mama!
As much as I have looked forward to this day,
I have also regretted it because I didn't know what
reaction I would have.

Next to her, I suddenly see my wife
and immediately think how hard it must of been for
her to come to this place and my mind floods with the
pleasant memories of 30 years past.
There's a young man in a military uniform
standing with his arm around her
......... My God!...... It has to be my son.
Look at him trying to be the man
without a tear in his eye.
I yearn to tell him how proud I am,
seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform.

Mama comes closer and touches the Wall
and I feel the soft and gentle touch
I had not felt in so many years.
Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall
and through our touch, I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering
or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building
as she sees Mama touch the Wall and she approaches
and lays her hand on my waiting hand.
All the emotions, feelings and memories of three
decades past flash between our touch and I tell her
that it's all right.
Carry on with your life and don't worry about me.
I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears
and understands me and a big burden
has been lifted from her.

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories
of my past. My lucky charm that was taken from me
and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and
worn teddy bear that I can barely remember
having as I grew up as a child and several medals
that I had earned and were presented to my wife.
One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge
that I am very proud of and I notice that my son
is also wearing this medal.
I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam
and he had probably earned his in the
deserts of Iraq.

I can tell that they are preparing to leave
and I try to take a mental picture of them together,
because I don't know when I will see them again.
I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return
and can only thank them that I was not forgotten.
My wife and Mama near the Wall for one final touch
and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow
are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears
that had not flowed for so many years,
form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall.

They slowly move away
with only a glance over their shoulder.
My son suddenly stops and slowly returns.
He stands straight and proud in front of me
and snaps a salute.
Something makes him move to the Wall
and he puts his hand upon the Wall
and touches my tears that had formed on the face of
the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence
there and the pride and the love that I have for him.
He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his
eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it's all
right and the tears do not make him any less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes,
he silently mouths,
God Bless you, Dad.
God Bless, YOU, Son. We WILL meet someday but
in the meanwhile, go on your way.
There is no hurry. There is no hurry
at all.

As I see them walk off in the distance,
I yell out to THEM, and EVERYONE there today,
as loud as I can,
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING
and as others on this side of the Wall join in,
I notice that the US Flag that so proudly flies
in front of us everyday, is flapping and standing
proudly straight out in the wind today,

"THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING"

For he today, that sheds his blood with me,
shall be my brother.

      Author Unknown