My Stories of Traveling Walls Visit here Memorial Day weekend 2001 May 24, 2001 "The arrival of Wall" I got there at 8 am as per original plan. Then around 10 am others arrived. I then found out that there was a delay in it's arrival. The Wall arrived about 10:30 and we got instructions on how to begin to put Wall together. We started from the center and worked out east panels first then the west ones. As it was being put together it started to transform the park site into the Memorial site it was meant to be. Then the lighting was put in place and the information tent put up. All the work that had to be done to make this possible was coming together. Wow! How moving I found those 24 panels together to be! As I left for home after all was done I knew this would be a Memorial Day weekend that would mean so much more to me. Our Wall was right here in the next town! All Memorial Days have taken there toll but, this one would be right on top of my Memorial Day Memories. I plan to be there with our Wall all the time of its visit. Starting with tomorrow's school visiting day. From putting it together to when it is repacked for its move to the next town on the list. With God Chaplain Flexer May 25, 2001 "12 hours at Wall" Today I spent 12 hours walking up & down helping the students who were visiting our Wall. As I helped one kid to rub a name I asked him who was he to him? He said his grandfather. I had to think about his answer for a moment. My first thought was boy am I old, as to me he was 18 or 19 like most of us were. How could he be his grandfather? I never asked anyone else Ha! The rain held off and as I met many fellow MARINES, we talked as if we lived next door to each other all our lives. We are the greatest! My greatest feeling came from helping mothers & others find their loved ones name & rubbing their name for them. Tomorrow I will be in a local parade and was asked to do the prayers at the cemeteries. Then it will be back to Wall to help more and do my Solitary Rose Ceremony at 1600. With God Chaplain Flexer May 26, 2001 "Today's Wall Report" First I was in a Memorial Day parade and was Chaplain at the two cemeteries we visited. I did not look to good getting into a 1949 Willy's jeep. Then it was right to Wall to re-kill my feet. They may never forgive me. Then at 1600 hours I did my Solitary Rose Ceremony. Tears came to my eyes as I played 50,000 Names. So I was a little shaky. It was the first time it has ever been done at any Wall. I stayed for two & half more hours. I was playing what I call the MARINE CORPS HYMN Vietnam style. The Young Marines leader asked me to play it as the Young Marines stood at attention. Later I came up on a little Young Marine and bent down, as he had to be a little over 3 feet tall. I asked if those two canteens he had weight more than he did? I then faced him to see his reaction. None he just looked forward. I then said don't you salute us old real MARINES, he smiled and saluted me I returned one and said back at you sir. Then as I was helping others a man came up to me and said he thought someone had dropped this key. I took it and as I looked at it my brain woke up and I thought it looked like an old car key that someone left for one on our Wall who had never came back to drive his or her car again. How sad little things that are left are. Tomorrow is another day as my feet keep telling me we'll get you for all this walking. Oh will Semper Fi to all may this Memorial weekend give you comfort in knowing all the love I have seen over the last few days. Know that it's the little guys who fight our wars And it's the little guys who honor them. Forget all those who are well known who make the speeches. Remember those loving words that those who gave up their loved ones say. There the ones that are said with love and meaning. With God Chaplain Flexer May 27, 2001 "My first trip was for all, second was for me". Another hard day at our Wall. Today I hugged more fellow MARINES as well as other Veterans. Some of those who got all the limelight and just get dressed up in uniform for ceremonies then return right to the VFW bar makes me wonder about them. I just keep on being there to help those who need it. To me that's what it's all about. I lost it for a few moments as I asked one where the sodas & sandwiches were. He came back at me with a why don't you look for them. Then as he kept walking away I went after him and told him in a few words not to talk to me in that manor. With that I got a little pissed. I could not stand those who that only for this Wall visit act like they care. When I know how they treat my fellow Combat veterans & I other times. I had helped two Goldstar Mothers find their sons. I told them as much as I could from the printout they got about his death and said I could not feel the way they did for their loss. we said a prayer for them & I told them that I had visited their loved ones back in 1998 when this same Wall was in Oxford CT. My second trip was on my motorcycle back to the Wall for myself. As I neared the Wall on came the tears. I found the panels that had all those who were killed in action during my time over there. I ran my hand over all of them, as "I knew none, yet I knew all". My tears flowed freely as I staggered to a nearby tree as the tears just kept coming. I had noticed that I had left my keys in the bike & knew I was in no shape to get them. I spotted a Young Marine & called him over he came fast. Then I asked him if he would help an old MARINE by going to my bike & bring me the keys? He replied YES SIR, but can I ask my mom first? A smile came slightly & I replied yes. He ran to his mom & then to get my keys. As he handed them to me he saluted me & I saluted back with a thank you. I then walked slowly to a nearby bench sat down & started to hum our Hymn. For 25 min. I just kept humming as if I was doing it to honor my fellow MARINES on the Wall. I was letting them know that I was proud to have served with them & would do it again. One more day to go & I wish I could some how make all of you feel the love that those who have visited have shown those on our wall & I. I always look at our Wall & think "There but for the grace of God go I" Again tomorrow I will be with them & share the love so freely given. With God Chaplain Flexer May 28, 2001 "Day is done, Farewells at the Wall" As I arrived there at 0930 to start the last day of Walls visit here in Putnam. I was walking slowly when a fellow Veteran in a wheelchair reached for me & as we hugged each other. Welcome Home was said by both of us at the same time. We then talked a while & parted. I read a small note left there & this is what it said." I miss you. I pray for you. I have nothing to give you but, my tears". How great those few words were. I did the same things all day as I have each day before & by the end of the day I will have walked the lenght of it over 400 times from my first day. I was then resting on a bench away from the Wall when that same Veteran in the wheelchair came by on his way out. he again hugged me & started to cry. He told me " Never complain about becoming old, as those on our Wall never got that chance" Wow! During closing ceremonies we were able to donate $ 5.000 to the healing Wall fund. I guess we did a good job. The rain held off most of the time & I tried to take credit for that Ha! as I left for the last time I saluted each panel slowly from one end to the other. Each one brought more tears as saying goodbye took its toll. May they rest in peace. No matter how far the Wall is. All are near in my heart. With God Chaplain Flexer May 29, 2001 " Packing up Wall for its next town visit" At 1000 hours we got together to take our Wall apart. we started to disassemble it at 1100 hours & it was in the truck by 1140. The Mayor & I carried the small end panels, as we did not want to strain ourselves Ha. Before that I said my goodbyes & also made sure I helped carry the panel that had the six rows of KIAs during my time in Vietnam. I was sad to see it go but, also happy knowing that if it only received 50% of the love it had received here it would be in fine company. This was the most moving MEMORIAL DAY for me. I will keep all that love close till the end. We also added another $ 7,000 to the first $ 5.000 donation. So all together those that Gave came to $12,000, I am proud & honored to live with such fellow Americans. God Bless them from all of us. With God Chaplain Flexer