Several years ago I had the profound opportunity to vist the Vietnam Memorial in Washington, D.C. For those who served having
never been there is a trip to be taken at least once in thier lifetime. Atop the knoll are the three
soldiers standing vigil over thier brother's tribute.
From the first step downward to the granite stone time reverts back decades. It was no lnger 1997 but 1967. My mind went from a poetry convention to days of war when my shipmates were either sitting on a beach in South Vietnam or aboard a carrier in the Tonkin Gulf. All thosew feelings I believed were locked away not to seen again emerged. While there I ran into another person coming for the same reason, to remember and honor his brethren.
One of those names on the wall I went to school with. He sailed on my sister ship, another aircraft carrier. He died when the fire destroyed the Forrestal. I would not find this out until much later on. I know of many sailors, soldiers, and marines in my situation. Though we probably will never meet in person, we are all still brothers.
As for those 59,000 plus names on the Wall, they too are remembered. No one has to be a Nam Vet to appreciate the
heroes never making it home alive. People don't have to live with the memories so many of us do. If there is but one ounce of gratitude for their freedom, they will feel what we feel.
Do we need to know all of those fallen heroes personally to honor them? No. Is it necessary to visit the Wall itself to understand their sacrifices? Again the answer is no. It's not a bad idea to go there anyway. Who knows maybe you'll see someone you recognize.