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Vietnam Memorial Wall

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Tomorrow, 0900, I help set up the portable wall. Seen it once, in Anchorage, this time I'm involved. Got my Vietnam Era Veteran cap out and dusted off.
Saturday afternoon and evening, I man it!
 
I saw the wall in Washington,DC.I was sobered by the things
that people left there - the one thing that really hit me was when
I saw a high school yearbook there.How do you understand those who
were there,& how they feel when viewing it?
I thought about the emotions that they were going through while
viewing it.
Doc - I get it now.

- Doug
 
Though it's a fitting tribute I have a difficult time seeing even the small one. Went to one display, that was enuff to last me the rest of my life.

Won't go near the real thing.

Good on ya, Dave.
 
To Dr Entropy, if you are ever in DC try again. The first time I went I went by it at about 90mph. I wouldn't look. The 2nd time I walked with another vet who had done it many times and it was easier. Just a suggestion though, I realize everyone that was there deals with it differently. Ernie Connor 3rd bn 12th Inf 4th Infantry Division. 1966/67
 
I have two friends listed on the Wall.

I visited it in DC in 1994.

My wife was equally touched by the Nurses' Memorial.
 
Doc,

Went to see the wall with my dad and his vet buddy while i was in the Army.
as much as the wall affected them, the statue was even worse for them. The statue was very emotional even for myself, non combat then, now I have 2 years of combat time under my belt.
 
I'm back. Those panels are as heavy as a casket, and you felt like that is what you're doing. 35+ floors pieces, 35+ wall pieces, and when unloading, the floors set on the grass awaiting placement, the wall sections NEVER touch the ground. EVER.
I helped with every floor section, and about 1/4 of the wall sections, and the body woudn't do it anymore, so they put me on the Kubota, and I drove each wall section from the semi trailer to the site, and waiting for the unloading of it, then back again.

Pain pills, and I should be fine.
 
The collection of items left at the wall is often displayed at the American History Museum of the Smithsonian.

It is as emotion-pulling as the wall itself.

I had a high lottery number (#351) in the 1972 lottery...I received a 1-H classification and got to go to college.

Had I been called to serve, I would have gone....but I sure was not going to enlist....even for the benefits of the GI Bill.

I consider myself very lucky.
 
Yeah. People change, priorities change.

Do <span style="font-style: italic">NOT</span> put yourself in a situation you can't recover from again, Dave.

... and I hate to post this publicly...
 
My brother-in-law, a 'Nam vet, has lived in DC for 35 years and has never visited the Wall. Says he just can't do it, too painful.

I, too, had a high draft number in '71 (252) and missed the draft. Very, very lucky, I've always thought. How strange it is to view the names on the wall, guys from my generation, mostly. Very sad.

DC and Capitol Hill are full of war memorials, all beautiful and full of symbolism. I hope everyone has a chance to stand before them and thank our veterans. :yesnod:
 
I went to the wall in DC once. Placing my hand on it was a heart wrenching experience to say the least. Dry eyes are a rarity for most people. Looking at the list of names that seems to never end, I thanked God that my sons were too young to to be a part of the war machine. I don't think I'll make a second trip to the wall, too disturbing for a patriotic old goat that chokes up when the American flag passes by in a parade. But that's just me. PJ
 
I won that lottery in 68..turned 18 at the end of Dec...was number one in days so figured it was a sign. Enlisted in the AF and on April 1st was shaved and dressed. Year and a half later arrived in Danang. 366th Gunfighters. 20 years later decided enough was enough....but it was a fun 20 years.
 
Got a wild idea, started making calls, ended up at the Vice Commander of the VFW in Bishop, California, where I am from, who gave me the list over the phone of those from The Valley who gave their all during the Vietnam Conflict.
I will look them up tomorrow.
Dave
 
Back from Duty on The Wall. I found all six from my hometown, and 4 more from The Valley, saluted each and every one.
Bishop, Lone Pine, and Independence, California, all in The Owens Valley, east of the Sierra Nevada range.
 
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