Vietnam Veterans Moving Wall

artemis moon · Jun 17, 2013

Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall

I volunteered at the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall on Friday for a couple of hours. My job was to look up the names of the deceased servicemen so that friends/relatives could find them. In the course of these few hours, I heard so many stories that broke my heart. One gentlemen lost three friends on September 11, 1970. This tough "Harley" guy came back to the tent after visiting the wall crying like a baby. I couldn't help getting caught up in the emotion of the moment and crying with him. After a while, he gave me a bear hug that made my eyeballs pop out, climbed back on his motorcycle and headed back home.

I've not gotten around to visiting the one in DC, but this half sized replica was so moving. Even though I can't say that I agree with the politics of the war, this experience gave me a whole new respect for the men and women who serve our country and are willing to give up their lives to defend it. Thanks, guys and gals!

vpnavy · Jun 17, 2013

God Bless you for volunteering artemis moon.

packerbacker · Jun 20, 2013

It has come to my area in the past. It's a moving experience, especially when you have a connection to some of the names. Many of those named died together, they died not for country or politics, they died for each other as I'm sure the three you mention did. If you could only place your hand on one of the names, close your eyes and see how they died, you would have even more respect for their service and sacrifice. Thank YOU for YOUR service moon.

TerryC · Jun 20, 2013

Hello Art. I am a Viet Vet. My FIRST thank you came at The Wall, in '93.... 24 years after I came back from my second tour in VN. From a young man who had not yet been born while I served. A moving moment. I could recall every single thank you.... until the guys and gals here at Tnet overwhelmed the numbers! I'm glad the tide has turned. Terry

River Rat · Jun 20, 2013

I was at the dedication of the Wall, this is forever the saddest event I ever attended. My 2nd visit was many years later, I was attending a military conference in Baltimore and a "field trip" was to the wall. I had received many responses from local friends to trace their loved one's names. I had them all accept for one last soldier who was 21 yrs of age, killed by a sniper when he landed in Nam the very 1st day. Donald was the brother in law of my bestest friend, and I promised her I would trace his name for her for her husband. I was upset that I couldn't reach his name, a Vietnam veteran tried to reach it too, without any success, then a light bulb went off in his head and made the suggestion of going on the backside (ground) holding on to my legs, while I hung upside down to trace Donald's name. I got the tracing! Needless to say, I was the last one to reach our bus, I had cried all the way back...I broke down once I was on the bus. It was the biggest breakdown I've had, I just kept thinking of my 4 classmates & the friends who died in that ungraceful place. Each time the moving wall was in an area around my home, I was sure to attend. As a military retiree @ 28 years, a member of the American Legion I volunteered when the moving wall was in our town. As a military member at the time, I went the extra mile and helped set up everything that dealt with the wall being there. Then when someone asked the location of a name, I volunteered not only to look up the location, but personally escorted them to wall's location of the name. I almost forgot to mention that 2 months after our graduation, my 1st classmate was killed, others followed as the war progressed.

Thank you, for your thoughtfulness of volunteering to help with The Moving Wall.

I know this link is listed in "The Barracks" thread. But, anyone wishing to look up any of your friends' name or just to read about the Wall here's the link. http://thewall-usa.com/

PFC Donald R Roberson (1946 - 1967) - Find A Grave Memorial

Mackaydon · Jun 21, 2013

Lee Teter's painting, 'Vietnam Reflections' brings back many memories and emotions experienced during that 'conflict'. No words are necessary.
Well done, Artemis.
Don.......
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...grpqhmsignedin..0.0.0..1.1.17.img.5AVv8-fnoiU

JunkShopFiddler · Jun 21, 2013

This came to my town and it was heart rending. I missed the Vietnam era draft by one year but know lots of young men who didn't and proudly went and did their duty and made some pretty sacred sacrifices...A big thank you to all who served our Country, and thank you so much for volunteering! :icon_salut:

DeepseekerADS · Jun 21, 2013

Thank you Artemis Moon

I have never seen the wall. For many years I just wanted to forget.

Frank1960 · Jun 21, 2013

It took way to long for the men and women of the Vietnam war to get their "Thank You" but I am glad that at least those that are still around have gotten the recognition they deserve I just wish those that have passed on had gotten theirs.

River Rat · Jun 21, 2013

Mackaydon said:
Lee Teter's painting, 'Vietnam Reflections' brings back many memories and emotions experienced during that 'conflict'. No words are necessary.
Well done, Artemis.
Don.......
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...grpqhmsignedin..0.0.0..1.1.17.img.5AVv8-fnoiU

Don, that painting always teared me up...my eyes are glistering right now.

JunkShopFiddler · Jun 21, 2013

Mackaydon said:
Lee Teter's painting, 'Vietnam Reflections' brings back many memories and emotions experienced during that 'conflict'. No words are necessary.
Well done, Artemis.
Don.......
https://www.google.com/search?hl=en...grpqhmsignedin..0.0.0..1.1.17.img.5AVv8-fnoiU

Oh my goodness...If that painting is not considered a National Treasure it surely should be. Wow thanks for posting and sharing that.

GMD52 · Jun 21, 2013

I remember visiting the travelling wall many years ago when it was at the Essex Fairgrounds, it may have been the first time in Vt. Both my wife and I stood speechless, as this was our generation. Brought back many memories of friends and classmates that paid the ultimate price. It was a visit I will never forget.

TerryC · Jun 21, 2013

Condemn war but honor the warrior! TTC

Mackaydon · Jun 21, 2013

The impact of visiting either Wall is not limited to we vets or anyone who was associated with a Nam vet. It will stir an emotion within anyone.
The Wall leaves the interpretation to the visitor. Some feel guilt that their names are not inscribed ("Why was I spared?"). Others feel 'closure'. Others are there as if it were a grave site--to pay their continued respects. I look at Vietnam Reflections and think "Good job,Bro; stand down, I've got your six"-and then I weep.
Don...

66hotel · Jun 22, 2013

To all the Vietnam vets on this forum, Thank you and welcome home. Terry

pippinwhitepaws · Jun 22, 2013

have 14 people from high school on that wall...

god bless them all.

dang, I should not have opened this thread...

thank you artemis. you did good.

fossis · Jun 23, 2013

Thanks to all who volunteer at the wall, i've got to go back to D.C. some day to see it, I have one friend whose name is there, he died on his first combat mission.
We buried several men in Arlington, as members of the Honor Guard U.S. Army, thanks to all the Veterans from all wars, you are not forgotten.

Fossis...............

piegrande · Jul 6, 2013

When the Wall came to our state capitol, maybe 20+ years ago, I drove a big old station wagon of young Boy Scouts to see it, 250 miles round trip.

I never went over, but so many men I knew did, that it had become an emotional thing for me. Why did they go and die and I did not? I was afraid I was going to cry in front of my son and other Scouts. I did not, but it was close.

Of course, now in my early 70's, I realize it would have been good for those lads if they had seen me cry.

piegrande · Jul 6, 2013

At that time, I bought the book which listed all the dead. When I retired and was moving away, I gave it to our Chief Steward, who did go over.

The sad thing for many of us was we never knew. I looked up names that I knew, and some of them were there. But, there is no way to be sure it was the same person of that name.

Mackaydon · Jul 6, 2013

Piegrande,
We are of the same 'vintage'. I was in service between 1963-1969. You may find a bit of 'closure' by today telling your son the same thing you just told us (about the Scouting trip). Tell him why you felt the way you did; and know that crying is a sign of compassion, not of weakness.
Don.........