Yesterday was Vietnam War Veterans Day. It’s the day the last troops were pulled from Vietnam. In Washington D.C., near the intersection of 22nd Street NW and Constitution Avenue NW, just north of the Lincoln Memorial, stands their wall. A wall of black granite. It’s huge.
Sean, veterans' stories always open the eye faucets. We Americans owe so much to our veterans who have preserved our freedoms for almost 2 1/2 centuries! Now, we all have to fight to keep our freedoms and rights and maybe to get back some of them that have been at least partially stolen from us. The memorials in Washington D.C., are but a small token of our devotion to our veterans and our country. We must never forget their sacrifice. We, who live near Fort Bayard National Cemetery in southwest New Mexico, will have the honor on April 26 to reinter a World War II veteran from this area, who had been buried in a common grave as an unknown decreased prisoner of war at the Cabanatuan Memorial in the Philippines as a result of the Bataan Death March. His remains were exhumed in 2019, and last year, the remains were identified. just a few years after his mother had died. It will be a significant event in our small county to have one of our own returned home after so many years.
I agree. I looked up a previous article I had posted about this event, and his mother lived into her 90s, but died in 1991. His father died the year after their only child, this son, died. Families sacrifice as much as our veterans do!
Thank you Sean. As a veteran of that era, I am moved to tears frequently as different references to the war come before me. Even though I was never assigned to SE Asia, I have two college teammates whose names are on the wall.
Jimmy Fortune of The Sattler Brothers, wrote a song entitled, More Than a Name on the Wall. That message moves me every time I hear it and when I’m able to hear Jimmy live, I stand in respect while he sings it. What a message that song has!!!
I’m Alan’s wife of 58 years. He is often asked to speak at patriotic gatherings honoring veterans. He usually concludes his comments with “Welcome Home”. Many come forward for handshakes and hugs!
I have not seen the Wall. Memorial Day and just before Christmas, my family and I go to the Georgia National Cemetery to place flags and Wreaths at some of the tombstones. This is a Garden of Stones and its beauty, peace and quiet are overwhelming. We come to honor those who served. There are probably a thousand people who come on these two occasions and in less than an hour, every tombstone has a flag or a Wreath. Come participate. You'll be humbled and Blessed. Happy Easter to all. He is Risen!!
That is one of your best, Sean. I served as a Marine in Vietnam, and I lost a childhood friend there. When I stood at the Wall the first time in looking at his name and seeing my reflection on the mirror-like finish, I asked, tears pouring down my face, "Why am I here looking at your name instead of you here looking at mine." It was an emotional experience.
My husband was in the Air force durning the Vietnam war. There are no words to express how the memorial makes us feel. Those who came back alive were lucky…and we will never forget the ones who didn’t.
I have not seen the wall, but have been to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. There is that reverence there as well. We rode in a boat manned by young Navy personal in crisp, clean, pressed uniforms; very respectful. We found a name we were looking for and took a photo. Maybe one day I'll make it to DC again to see the memorial. I'd also like to see the one for 9/11 in NY. I think they are filled with the same spirit of sacrifice that just speaks to your soul.
Your tax dollars paid for the pilot training for the ones who flew the suicide planes. I pity the poor pilot who had to shoot down the plane in PA. Ops. you didn't here that on CBS. The "C " stands for cash.
I remember being there with you on the anniversary of your coming home from Viet Nam. I couldn't physically manage to walk down the hill with you, but sat on the bench under the trees. I sat next to a fellow vet of yours who I learned couldn't walk down to the wall. Not because he didn't want to, but because he suffered from PTSD. This was to be part of his healing, and he just couldn't do it. So many were affected, and finally you heard, "Welcome home, brother". It meant the world to you, 50 years later. A day late but Welcome home to Tom. I didn't know it then, but I waited for you
So often we forget or overlook the Women who have served this great nation since the Revolutionary War. The Women who are most forgotten aren't the ones who died for this nation but the Military Spouse's who have waited for the return of their loved one. My wife is one those women who towed the line while I was gone for a year in Korea and the many other numerous deployments around the world. She filled the gap, paid the bills, got the car fixed and did many other numerous chores I should've been doing. The Military wife.....unsung hero of all the branches of the Military.
My dad and I were there several years ago on a warm, spring day. We looked up the name of my uncle’s best friend who had had an argument with his dad, stormed out of the house and went to sign up. He was as green as could be. After basic training he shipped out to Vietnam. He was killed on his third day there.
The 5th Commandment says, "Honor your parents and you'll live longer" The infantry couldn't put up with rebellion. The unwritten rules were there to keep us alive.
I wish I had the words to express my gratitude and respect to all who have served our country, and the words of regret and sorrow at how those who served in Vietnam were treated upon their return, and are still not being properly cared for by the government that sent them there.
People don't think. They wanted to be politically correct in 1969 and in 2024. I think Reagan said it best. The government can't fix the problem. The government is the problem There was an Army leader who decided the the fella who drew the now famous cartoons be fired because he poked fun at leadership. Eisenhower stepped in and told him to reinstate him immediately. There were 6 of us vets in our 2nd week of college that were called to the office. She said, The VA is no longer paying for your education. Get the hell off my campus!" So I raised 7 kids without a degree. The job adds asked us if we served. Vietnam vets were not hired. So I started a business. I tried to register to vote wearing a tie. Nope. I went in several days later looking shabby, smoking a cigarette. Yes sir. here's your registration. No problem.
Those rules took away one’s identity, and turned everyone in to “Killing Machines”…that was the strategy of war back then.
And now the thinking has changed, even in the Marine Corps…training is no longer as strict, in favor of a “softer” way. Perhaps due to their shrinking numbers of enlistees? To your point, Matt…”the rules were there to keep you alive”…there has to be a strategy somewhere in the middle.
Sean, veterans' stories always open the eye faucets. We Americans owe so much to our veterans who have preserved our freedoms for almost 2 1/2 centuries! Now, we all have to fight to keep our freedoms and rights and maybe to get back some of them that have been at least partially stolen from us. The memorials in Washington D.C., are but a small token of our devotion to our veterans and our country. We must never forget their sacrifice. We, who live near Fort Bayard National Cemetery in southwest New Mexico, will have the honor on April 26 to reinter a World War II veteran from this area, who had been buried in a common grave as an unknown decreased prisoner of war at the Cabanatuan Memorial in the Philippines as a result of the Bataan Death March. His remains were exhumed in 2019, and last year, the remains were identified. just a few years after his mother had died. It will be a significant event in our small county to have one of our own returned home after so many years.
That’s amazing! How awesome that he is coming home after all this time. God bless all who made this possible.
I agree. I looked up a previous article I had posted about this event, and his mother lived into her 90s, but died in 1991. His father died the year after their only child, this son, died. Families sacrifice as much as our veterans do!
I plan to be at the event, taking photos and writing about it for the family and readers in my local digital news"paper."
Thank you Sean. As a veteran of that era, I am moved to tears frequently as different references to the war come before me. Even though I was never assigned to SE Asia, I have two college teammates whose names are on the wall.
Jimmy Fortune of The Sattler Brothers, wrote a song entitled, More Than a Name on the Wall. That message moves me every time I hear it and when I’m able to hear Jimmy live, I stand in respect while he sings it. What a message that song has!!!
Alan ~ thank you for your service.
It’s my era too & agree how hard it hits when seeing the wall & the profound effect it has on all.
Happy Easter to everyone celebrating this day ☦️
Thank you, Alan, for your service. Truly.
To all who served in SE Asia, WELCOME HOME!!! We love y’all and we are PROUD OF YOUR SERVICE!!!
I don’t LIKE your comment, Alan.
I LOVE it❣️ Thank You and God Bless You for saying what needed to be said so long ago ❤️🤍💙
I’m Alan’s wife of 58 years. He is often asked to speak at patriotic gatherings honoring veterans. He usually concludes his comments with “Welcome Home”. Many come forward for handshakes and hugs!
I’m a widow of a Vietnam Vet, married 55 years ago. And I know firsthand how much our veterans were mistreated when they came home.
I’ll bet your husband is BOMBARDED for handshakes and hugs at the end of his program❣️ May God richly bless you both 🇺🇸
You brought it Pone. R E S P E C T! These guys living and dead laid it on the line. Great Tribute!
Pubert Earle
I have not seen the Wall. Memorial Day and just before Christmas, my family and I go to the Georgia National Cemetery to place flags and Wreaths at some of the tombstones. This is a Garden of Stones and its beauty, peace and quiet are overwhelming. We come to honor those who served. There are probably a thousand people who come on these two occasions and in less than an hour, every tombstone has a flag or a Wreath. Come participate. You'll be humbled and Blessed. Happy Easter to all. He is Risen!!
He is risen indeed.
That is one of your best, Sean. I served as a Marine in Vietnam, and I lost a childhood friend there. When I stood at the Wall the first time in looking at his name and seeing my reflection on the mirror-like finish, I asked, tears pouring down my face, "Why am I here looking at your name instead of you here looking at mine." It was an emotional experience.
My husband was in the Air force durning the Vietnam war. There are no words to express how the memorial makes us feel. Those who came back alive were lucky…and we will never forget the ones who didn’t.
“All gave some, some gave all”. Thanks! 🇺🇸
I have not seen the wall, but have been to the USS Arizona Memorial in Hawaii. There is that reverence there as well. We rode in a boat manned by young Navy personal in crisp, clean, pressed uniforms; very respectful. We found a name we were looking for and took a photo. Maybe one day I'll make it to DC again to see the memorial. I'd also like to see the one for 9/11 in NY. I think they are filled with the same spirit of sacrifice that just speaks to your soul.
Your tax dollars paid for the pilot training for the ones who flew the suicide planes. I pity the poor pilot who had to shoot down the plane in PA. Ops. you didn't here that on CBS. The "C " stands for cash.
Why ruin this thread with conspiracy theories? Shame on you.
I agree. Why? Why make this feel less than it was meant to be felt. Shame on you, Matt.
I remember being there with you on the anniversary of your coming home from Viet Nam. I couldn't physically manage to walk down the hill with you, but sat on the bench under the trees. I sat next to a fellow vet of yours who I learned couldn't walk down to the wall. Not because he didn't want to, but because he suffered from PTSD. This was to be part of his healing, and he just couldn't do it. So many were affected, and finally you heard, "Welcome home, brother". It meant the world to you, 50 years later. A day late but Welcome home to Tom. I didn't know it then, but I waited for you
So often we forget or overlook the Women who have served this great nation since the Revolutionary War. The Women who are most forgotten aren't the ones who died for this nation but the Military Spouse's who have waited for the return of their loved one. My wife is one those women who towed the line while I was gone for a year in Korea and the many other numerous deployments around the world. She filled the gap, paid the bills, got the car fixed and did many other numerous chores I should've been doing. The Military wife.....unsung hero of all the branches of the Military.
The wall will indeed bring you to tears🙏
My dad and I were there several years ago on a warm, spring day. We looked up the name of my uncle’s best friend who had had an argument with his dad, stormed out of the house and went to sign up. He was as green as could be. After basic training he shipped out to Vietnam. He was killed on his third day there.
And the Dad’s heart has been broken ever since his tragic loss 💔
The 5th Commandment says, "Honor your parents and you'll live longer" The infantry couldn't put up with rebellion. The unwritten rules were there to keep us alive.
I wish I had the words to express my gratitude and respect to all who have served our country, and the words of regret and sorrow at how those who served in Vietnam were treated upon their return, and are still not being properly cared for by the government that sent them there.
People don't think. They wanted to be politically correct in 1969 and in 2024. I think Reagan said it best. The government can't fix the problem. The government is the problem There was an Army leader who decided the the fella who drew the now famous cartoons be fired because he poked fun at leadership. Eisenhower stepped in and told him to reinstate him immediately. There were 6 of us vets in our 2nd week of college that were called to the office. She said, The VA is no longer paying for your education. Get the hell off my campus!" So I raised 7 kids without a degree. The job adds asked us if we served. Vietnam vets were not hired. So I started a business. I tried to register to vote wearing a tie. Nope. I went in several days later looking shabby, smoking a cigarette. Yes sir. here's your registration. No problem.
Those rules took away one’s identity, and turned everyone in to “Killing Machines”…that was the strategy of war back then.
And now the thinking has changed, even in the Marine Corps…training is no longer as strict, in favor of a “softer” way. Perhaps due to their shrinking numbers of enlistees? To your point, Matt…”the rules were there to keep you alive”…there has to be a strategy somewhere in the middle.
Yes, sadly, that’s exactly right.
This is very well written and tells perfectly the story that wall means to my generation.
Thanks Sean D for sharing. I had Alabamian college mate and close friend, "Gregory Mann" whom survived that
horrible war Big salute Greg where ever you might be?
I had no idea the wall was that long..... Almost 500 ft. Incredible. 😔. My thanks to all service people. ❤️