Vietnam Memorial Wall,,

[CW]

Ever visited it?

What was your reaction to it?

I visited the wall last year with a great amount of uncertainity, apprehension, and a gut load of guilt. I was amazed that I could even function, that's how badly my stomache was knotted up.


For me it was the most emotional and powerful experience that I have ever had.

I cried.

I walked in a daze along the length.

I talked with vets that were there. I talked with a few families that were there and we hugged and cried.

Listened to some older gent play taps just at sunset. And I cried some more.

Spent the night in conversation with 4 vets at my hotel on the balcony. And at sunrise we returned to the wall, we each carried two cups of coffee, one for ourselves and one to leave as a tribute to our buddies. Sounds wacky maybe, but, at the time it made perfect sense.

The nightmares and guilt don't come as often now as they used to. I have more inner peace than I used to as well.

But after reading the EWB's comments in a thread this week, I think I am in need of a return trip.




Peace to all. I hope we never experience dark days like that again.

 

[p_p_man]

I've never been there...

...but whenever I see images of it I choke up. It's what it represents gets to me. A generation of brave young men, being taken from their families to fight in a war that nobody really understood, thousands of miles away from their homeland.

To all those men who never returned. RIP

And to Kissinger and all men of influence who believed their own propaganda in the twisted theories they foisted upon the world, may you rot.

 

[Guest]

I have been there many times.... My father was a Veteran's Representative for a very long time......and we were always in Washington D.C. for one reason or another....

and its sad.....sad that our country has lost so many people over the problems of other countries.

 

[Comshaw]

My one and only visit to the wall was in January 1991. My bother was stationed in Virginia and wanted me to visit. When I arrived we spent a day catching up on each other's lives, not having seen each other for several years. He mentioned he was a member of the Vietnam Veterans motorcycle club and ask if I'd like to go with him to their meeting. I agreed and the next evening we went to meet all the guys. Only my brother and one other member had never been in country, but were in the club because they had relatives that had. In my bothers case that relative was me. We talked and drank beer for an hour or two then I happen to mention I'd never been to the wall. The room had maybe 40 people in it but when they heard I had never been you could have heard a pin drop. Ever so quietly I heard someone say," It's time you did brother."

We went the next night.. I had spent the entire day trying to get myself mentally ready for the trip. We arrived at the wall about 8:00 PM. A lite rain was falling as we walked up to the statue of the three solders. It was like I'd never left country. I could here the Huey's, smell that sour mildew jungle smell, feel the familiar feel of my M16 in my palm.
My eyes were clouded with tears as one of the guys lead my down the path to the wall. I figured I had met my ghosts and so far was doing good. As we walked into the ground I looked up at all the names engraved there. Still I held it together. We stopped in front of a panel and I read familiar names, young men that I had known, but who were no more. I couldn't hold it. Like a damn bursting I knelt at the foot of that wall and cried like a 5 year old. All the years of holding it, all the years of ignoring it came pouring out. I cried for almost half an hour, all those guys in the club gathered around me, shielding me from those walking by. Afterward we spent a long time talking.
It was an experience. For me a healing one. I'll go back sometime. My wife has a panel there she needs to visit. A close friend killed in Thailand during that war.

Comshaw

 

[Derya]

I have been there twice and was greatly moved each time. It is amazing to me the atmosphere of respect, silence, and strength that is aura that surrounds the monument. Although with each visit there were literally hundreds around and about the monument it felt as if I were alone with the souls of those whom it honors. I did not personally know anyone who lost their life in Viet Nam, although I do know a number who served. I have a huge portrait of the wall (I believe it is a fairly popular print), one where an older man is reaching out to the wall and the images of soldiers are reaching back from the wall, hanging in my den. As soon as I saw this picture, I knew I had to have it no matter the cost. It has so much meaning and I, having never served and been only a child during the end of Vietnam cannot begin to know how others who were more affected by this war must feel.

Also I find the artistry, creativity, and symbolism used in creating the monument quite meaningful. I read an article in National Geographic about the creator and how every portion of the planning has a meaning, a reason, and a purpose. I cannot remember all of the details, but these differences do make it such a different monument. It is a 'living' remembrance to those who are no longer 'living'. To me this is so unique and so much more respectful even than a mere statue or image.

I would encourage anyone who can, to take the opportunity to visit the wall, and feel whatever it is that you will feel. You will not be sorry. Again to me, as one very limitedly affected by the Vietnam War, visiting the wall is both a sad and frightening experience and yet at the same time a wonderful experience.
http://megsplace.com/dolls/hatnature.gif

 

[Azwed]

I have been twice

Both with my dad who served in vietnam for two tours. I was pretty young both times and was just kind of dazed. We went through and found the names of some of his friends and a couple of his cousins. He doesn't like to talk about the war much. I don't even know what unit he was in. I know he was supposed to be a Helo pilot but got sent to mechanized infantry instead and thats it

 

[Dreamweaver72]

CW...I have visited it. and I did well up to the point I found my friends. Then I was devestated...I didn't fight in the war, but alot who I grew up with did...And there are 2 who were on the wall. I was there once...I don't know if I can go back,,,It is soo overwhelming...To this day I cannot describe how I feel, I suppose I am happy that they are remembered, but the wall..............................

 

[DevilMayCare]

CW - Thank you for initiating this thread at the beginning of the Memorial Day weekend. It is always good to remember Vietnam and the men and women who served there.

I've never been to the memorial but I've been haunted by Vietnam for much of my life. I could have gone, perhaps should have gone. I was of the right age at the right time with no deferments, and classified 1-A. How it happened that I was never drafted bewilders me still. Unlike many of my friends I didn't opt for the National Guard. I simply waited for the letter, unsure what I would do if it came. It never came...I dodged a bullet.

But the war continued to touch me as it did all of America. What a painful episode in our country's history! And then came the memorial. Its good to recall the resistance to the idea and the form of this memorial. How could a simple list of names cut into a black wall memorialize this tragic war? We all know the answer to that question as we've lived with this simple and powerful monument, and as we've witnessed the response of those visiting the wall.

I'm deeply touched by the posts above and feel honored that men who served in this war are willing to share their experiences at the memorial. War is hell and a war fought with such conflicted sentiments at home, we've learned, is the hardest kind of war to wage. Thank you for putting your lives on the line. That our leaders sold us all a load of crap doesn't diminish your service. Hope you have a good holiday with your familes and friends.