At first there was no place for us to go
until someone put up that Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and
night, my Brothers and Sisters wait to see the many people from
places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and
many for hours and some that come on a regular basis.
It was hard at first, not that it's
gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes
towards that war that we were involved in have changed. I can
only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something
and more Walls as this one, needn't be Built.
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it. The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back. Don't feel guilty for not being with me, my brothers. This was my destiny, as it is yours to be on that side of the Wall. Touch the Wall my Brothers, so that we can share in the memories that we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say 'Good-bye', but to say 'Hello' and to be together again, even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.
Today, an irresistable and loving call
comes from the Wall. As I approach I can see an elderly lady, and
as I get closer I recognize her...It's Mamma! As much as I have
looked forward to this day, I have regretted it because I didn't
know what reaction I would have. Next to her, I suddenly see my
wife and I immediately think how hard it must have been for her
to come to this place and my mind floods with the pleasant
memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military
uniform standing with his arm around her...My God!!!...It has to
be my son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in his
eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing
tall, straight and proud in his uniform.
Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch, I try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain.
I see my wife's courage building as she
sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches and lays her hand on
my waiting hand. All the emotions, feelings and memories of three
decades past flash between our touch and I tell her that it's
alright. Carry on with your life and don't worry about me... I
can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and undetrstands
me and a big burden has been lifted from her.
I watch as they lay flowers and other
memories of my past. My lucky charm that was taken from me and
sent to her by my CO, a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can
barely remember having as I grew up as a child and several medals
that I had earned and were presented to my wife. One of them is
the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very
proud of and I notice that my son is also wearing
this medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he
had probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to take a mental picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see them again. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Mamma near the Wall for one final touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears, that had not flowed for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall. They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder.
My son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute. Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence there and the pride and the love I have for him. He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it's all right and the tears do not make him any less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from
his eyes, he silently mouths, 'God Bless you, Dad...' God Bless
you, Son.....We WILL meet someday, but in the meantime, go on
your way...There is no hurry....There is no hurry at all.
As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell out to THEM and EVERYONE there today, as loud as I can.........'THANKS FOR REMEMBERING', and as the others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the US Flag, that so proudly flies in front of us everyday, is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today........
This was printed in the 5May2000 issue of the California Edition of "Veterans Press", and was submitted by Hanny Perbetsky. Thank you Hanny