The Vietnam veteran's memorial wall

[Ed62]

I watched a program on the SmithsonianTV channel today about it. WOW!, that was quite an undertaking!! Just watching it on TV can be an emotional experience. Have any of you visited it? They said it was 2nd in the number of visitors, the only thing with more was the White House.

I worked with a young man who lost his life in 'Nam. He was only 18. I think of him often.

Ed

[AAJIII]

I am a Viet Nam vet. Been to the wall twice, cried both times.

My cousin was injured in Viet Nam and died when he was in his early fourties because of the injuries he recieved.

We were close and I miss him.

AL

[JSUPreston]

I went to the wall in March of '88 as part of my 8th grade gifted class trip to D.C. I still am amazed at not only the wall, but the effect it had on our group. A bunch of 8th grade kids immediately got quiet and respectful once we got to the wall. Even though I am too young to remember 'Nam, I understand the sacrifice. Thank you to all who have served. I wanted to, but wasn't allowed.

[Tom Slick]

I've been to it. it is a simple and very somber memorial. the amount of names is unbelieveable. although I was born after that war, I am humbled that it is my parents' generation, recent history, and they know who some of those names were.

The Korean war Memorial is directly accross the reflecting pool from the Vietnam war memorial, it is also an amazing sight to behold. you feel as if you are in the field beside them and there are ghosts watching you.

Those memorials really hit me in the chest. I visited "the mall" while I had a layover in Baltimore, I was on my way to the middle east in 2003 to support Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom, which had just begun.

[cabinetman]

The wall is a somber memorial. Not near the memorial those carry with them of their friends being killed or maimed just feet away. Or, telling an 18 yr old, missing parts of his face or one or more appendages, that he is alive and he'll get through it.
.

[Pappy]

Growing up in that era and being retired from the Marines, I know too many names on the Wall. I haven't been to DC since it was built and I'm not sure I could handle it.

It is probably harder to visit for my generation and the 2 before us (Parents and Grandparents of those listed) than for the younger generations.

[cgallery]

Took the kids a couple years ago (they were 15 and 10). More than any other, I think the Vietnam memorial made an impact.

The designers of memorial really created two: They created the wall, but they also created the spectacle (and I mean that in a good way) that goes on around the wall. The signs, the cards, the flowers, the rubbings, the tearful reflection. It is very emotional and moving even for those of us that came after the war.

[cwithboat]

I went shortly after it was completed. I think it helped end the nightmares. Nothing stops the occasional tears. 58,000 brothers. Unfortunately the lessons were unlearned.

[Black wallnut]

I've never been to DC or even seen the traveling wall. Those that I know that have seen it were touched by the experience of it.
I grew up an Air Force brat in that era. My dad was able to stay stateside during that war but we had plenty of friends that served over there. Cannon AFB was my dad's last duty station prior to his retirement and the base commander at that time was a former POW. We had a family friend that was MIA, still is as far as I know and some in my family wore the copper bracelet with his name for years after the end of the war. Lt. Robert Brett when his plane was shot down, a few years later he was given LT. Col. even though he was still MIA. His retired father, Col. Brett did my fathers retirement ceremony. Those that gave the ultimate sacrifice in that war are never very far from my thoughts.

[Bruce Cohen]

Still can't go to visit it, way too many ghosts I still haven't rid myself of. Too many nightmares, still after all these years.

Most of my guys aren't aren't on that wall, they're stars, named and un-named, on a wall in a building in Virginia.

RIP my brothers, and God bless America.

Bruce

[DUD]

I don't know if I can go to the "Wall" or not, I went to the moving "Wall" and couldn't make it around. Bill

[cabinetman]

<snip>... in a building in Virginia.

Bruce

Lemme guess...would that be Langley, Virginia? BTW, nice view of the Potomac there.
.

[Hoover]

I am a VietNam era veteran, didn't go to 'Nam, due to lost 201 file, most of my class went, but since the Army lost my 201 file, I was in limbo after AIT.

I lost some friends there, there names are on the wall. Haven't been to DC to see it, but I did go see the traveling wall. Even seeing that it was difficult. All those brave men and women dying so young. It was a tragedy that it happened.

[billwmeyer]

I have never made it to DC, but it is on my vacation wish list. I have seen the moving wall several times, it is quite a somber experience. I don't know anyone on the wall, but I had several friends and relatives serve in Nam. I had a draft lottery number of 14, but I was 4-f due to a smashed knee from high school football.

The moving wall is hard to take, I don't know if I could take the real Memorial, but I will have to try if I get the chance.

Bill