The Vietnam Memorial - 25 years

roni · 10-23-2007

Got this from a friend of that era. The Eagle he refers to in the message is a guy I went to college with. Thirty minutes after the Marine platoon he was the Sarge of got to their forward base, over half of them were dead.

Eagle survived, went to college and died a few years later.

Begin quoted message

I am going to Washington on Friday the 9th to meet a guy from my unit for the 25th anniversary of the memorial. Will be there three nights, leave on Monday the 12th.

The Wall: 25th Anniversary Parade

I cried when I watched this video. I keep thinking the emotions are gone, evaporated.

And I will be thinking of Eagle, and the Grand Canyon, and all of you.

End quoted message

Made me cry too.

cpfstich · 10-23-2007

We all owe Vietnam vets a huge debt of gratitude.

silvergirl · 10-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpfstich

We all owe Vietnam vets a huge debt of gratitude.

That we do!

cpfstich · 10-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by roni

Got this from a friend of that era. The Eagle he refers to in the message is a guy I went to college with. Thirty minutes after the Marine platoon he was the Sarge of got to their forward base, over half of them were dead.

Eagle survived, went to college and died a few years later.

Begin quoted message

I am going to Washington on Friday the 9th to meet a guy from my unit for the 25th anniversary of the memorial. Will be there three nights, leave on Monday the 12th.

The Wall: 25th Anniversary Parade

I cried when I watched this video. I keep thinking the emotions are gone, evaporated.

And I will be thinking of Eagle, and the Grand Canyon, and all of you.

End quoted message

Made me cry too.

Me too.

TAPPY · 10-23-2007

Hubby (Vietnam Vet) and I will get to see the wall in March.
I know he is really looking forward to it.

roni · 10-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by TAPPY

Hubby (Vietnam Vet) and I will get to see the wall in March.
I know he is really looking forward to it.

I tried to avoid it, but was inexorably drawn to it in the mid 90's when I was in DC for a conference. Had a few hours before my flight, so I went to National Airport,checked in and then took the Metro to the Smithsonian stop.

Was St. Patrick's Day weekend. When I emerged from underground, the North Virginia Irish Wolfhound Club was there - with about 30 of those large beautiful dogs.

The Wall was quite an emotional experience for me - particularly as one gets to the point near the angle where the wall is at its tallest. As I walked up the other leg of the Wall it became shorter and the deep, dark emotions started to brighten a bit. The young lady who was the designer is absolutely brilliant. I believe she knew it would have that effect.

Enjoy the trip. Take some kleenex along. A lot of big guys end up crying, as I am doing now as I type this.

MWC · 10-23-2007

Anyone who hasn't seen it in person really should make the effort to. It is one of the most devastatingly beautiful experiences I have ever been through. I'm a half-generation shy of being old enough to truly remember the times, but the emotional impact hits on an equal-opportunity basis.

Ross Perot's statue of the soldiers is a gaudy distraction, by comparison.

Thank you to all who served.

Jacko · 10-23-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MWC

Anyone who hasn't seen it in person really should make the effort to. It is one of the most devastatingly beautiful experiences I have ever been through. I'm a half-generation shy of being old enough to truly remember the times, but the emotional impact hits on an equal-opportunity basis.
.........
Thank you to all who served.

Ditto! Visiting the Vietnam Memorial is packed full of emotion and an amazing and touching experience....Thanks to all who served indeed!
No more Vietnams!

horizon200 · 10-24-2007

For those of you that can't make it to DC to visit The Wall. You can still pay your respects to our fallen heroes by visiting The Virtual Wall

While it may not have the same effect on you, as actually visiting the memorial, I think is a noble effort to recognize our vets.

Mexivoof · 10-24-2007

I have been there. It is a wonderful monument. I will not disrepect the designer by getting her name wrong, but it is simply beautiful in its simplicity.
When we were there people were still leaving flowers, and rubbing names.
All those names, and for what?

Jacko · 10-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

I have been there. It is a wonderful monument. I will not disrepect the designer by getting her name wrong, but it is simply beautiful in its simplicity.
When we were there people were still leaving flowers, and rubbing names.
All those names, and for what?

So that we may remember and learn and ask this question you ask as many times as it takes to learn.

Mexivoof · 10-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jacko

So that we may remember and learn and ask this question you ask as many times as it takes to learn.

Yes, we do learn from history, but that was an awfully expensive lesson.

If you believe Time magazine, JFK was on the verge of pulling everyone out before he was assinated. I wish he could have lived to do it.

MaripositaII · 10-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mexivoof

Yes, we do learn from history, but that was an awfully expensive lesson.

If you believe Time magazine, JFK was on the verge of pulling everyone out before he was assinated. I wish he could have lived to do it.

We visited the wall back in 1992 (I think that was the year). Didn't have anyone die in Viet Nam or fight, but still went to see it.

I don't think we learned anything from history (and war) thus far. What will we do to honour Vets from the present war I wonder

Tommygurl · 10-24-2007

Wow!

Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the Veterans of the Vietnam War. It is time for politics to be put aside & for people to realize that these soldiers have more courage.....have seen more horror than most of us can ever imagine.....These soldiers should be forever honored for the sacrifice they and their familys made for us all.

Thank you so much!

Tommygurl · 10-24-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by MaripositaII

We visited the wall back in 1992 (I think that was the year). Didn't have anyone die in Viet Nam or fight, but still went to see it.

I don't think we learned anything from history (and war) thus far. What will we do to honour Vets from the present war I wonder:rolleyes:

When I see a Canadian or US soldier in an airport for example I go up to them & thank them for what they are doing......My kids obvously have been watching as my daughter went up to a member of the Canadian Armed Forces at The Calgary Stampede & said "Thank you'...

We also participate & are part of the Remembrance Day Ceremonies here......Her Great Grandpa was a WW2 Vet....It is important to teach kids about the sacrifices these soldiers made for our freedom. It is important to never forget.
Imho....of course.

10-23-2007	#1 (permalink)
roni Happy Curmudgeon Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Oregon Posts: 29,012	The Vietnam Memorial - 25 years Got this from a friend of that era. The Eagle he refers to in the message is a guy I went to college with. Thirty minutes after the Marine platoon he was the Sarge of got to their forward base, over half of them were dead. Eagle survived, went to college and died a few years later. Begin quoted message I am going to Washington on Friday the 9th to meet a guy from my unit for the 25th anniversary of the memorial. Will be there three nights, leave on Monday the 12th. The Wall: 25th Anniversary Parade I cried when I watched this video. I keep thinking the emotions are gone, evaporated. And I will be thinking of Eagle, and the Grand Canyon, and all of you. End quoted message Made me cry too.

10-23-2007	#2 (permalink)
cpfstich el poli Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 11,437	We all owe Vietnam vets a huge debt of gratitude.

10-23-2007	#5 (permalink)
TAPPY añejo Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Louisiana Posts: 15,315	Hubby (Vietnam Vet) and I will get to see the wall in March. I know he is really looking forward to it.

10-23-2007	#7 (permalink)
MWC añejo Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Connecticut Posts: 6,197	Anyone who hasn't seen it in person really should make the effort to. It is one of the most devastatingly beautiful experiences I have ever been through. I'm a half-generation shy of being old enough to truly remember the times, but the emotional impact hits on an equal-opportunity basis. Ross Perot's statue of the soldiers is a gaudy distraction, by comparison. Thank you to all who served.

10-24-2007	#9 (permalink)
horizon200 añejo Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Delaware Posts: 4,831	For those of you that can't make it to DC to visit The Wall. You can still pay your respects to our fallen heroes by visiting The Virtual Wall While it may not have the same effect on you, as actually visiting the memorial, I think is a noble effort to recognize our vets.

10-24-2007	#10 (permalink)
Mexivoof añejo Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Milwaukee, WI Posts: 3,554	I have been there. It is a wonderful monument. I will not disrepect the designer by getting her name wrong, but it is simply beautiful in its simplicity. When we were there people were still leaving flowers, and rubbing names. All those names, and for what?

10-24-2007	#14 (permalink)
Tommygurl crab killer Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: I am Canadian!! Posts: 14,376	Wow! Words cannot express the gratitude I have for the Veterans of the Vietnam War. It is time for politics to be put aside & for people to realize that these soldiers have more courage.....have seen more horror than most of us can ever imagine.....These soldiers should be forever honored for the sacrifice they and their familys made for us all. Thank you so much!

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