Coming Home

This poem was written in hopes that those who may still feel the need to withdraw into their own safe place (as I had for so many years) will take the steps to come out and share their experience, feelings and emotions to those who truly want to listen and learn. There is an entire generation that knows little or nothing of the sacrifices made by so many during this period. I have only realized in the last couple of years myself that not only is there an interest from this generation but an interest from those who remember the Vietnam era, but had chosen for whatever reasons to avoid it. Without a doubt it was an unpopular war and in the minds of many people, the Veterans were guilty by association. Personally, I no longer feel this to be the case. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial is the most visited monument in DC. No one, Veteran or non Veteran can visit "The Wall" and not be moved by it and the people around it. "The Wall" has become a stepping stone for healing those who served, those who lost friends or loved ones and those, who at the time, were blind to the sacrifices being made by so many. "The Wall" now offers those who may have once viewed a casualty as a statistic, a name. We must forgive and forget those who were not supportive of our efforts and sacrifices and those who treated us badly (or at least differently) when we returned home. We now have an opportunity and an obligation to share our story, in hopes that people will understand that there are no winners in war. For the Veterans and those who lost friends and loved ones who have not visited "The Wall", I highly recommend it. I've visited three times. Although it is difficult, it's an experience you won't regret or forget.