It glistens bright on the village green, in prominent display.
It's a grand and noble structure raised by a grateful land.
Yet I recall a simpler one of steel and wood and sand.
I kept my eyes on our point man. He was the first to go down.
I saw how the bullets spun him and slammed him to the ground.
That night seemed to last forever, but it finally came to an end.
And no longer were some strangers, for each was the others best friend.
I looked over at the captain, and he silently answered me.
And he took my arm and nodded, then turned so I couldn't see.
So I walked back to our point man, to the place where I saw him fall.
For dawn had brought with it a quiet, with the peace of God and all.
And I covered him with a poncho, and then to be sure he'd be found,
I fixed bayonet to rifle, and shoved it in the ground.
There wasn't much more anyone could do. My tribute seemed a trifle.
So I picked a battered helmet up and placed it on the rifle.
Long years have passed since I saw him fall that cold and frightful night.
Now his name is carved in marble, but something didn't set right.
The helmet on the rifle seemed a far more fitting shrine.
For the rifle was my brother's, and the helmet, it was mine.
Now,everyday and night ,my brothers and my
sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall.
Many stopping briefley 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 the 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 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 destiney 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 Brothers out there to come and visit me ,
not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again,
even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.
Today,an irresistible and loving call comes from the wall
as I approach I can see an elderly lady as I get closer I recognize her....
It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day,I have also regretted it because I didn't know what reaction I would have.
Next to her,I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it must been for her to come to this place.
And my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30years 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 that it is alright.
Carry on with your life and don't worry about me......
I can see I look into her eyes that she hears and understands 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 barley 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 probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell they 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 Momma 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 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 up straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute.
Something makes him move to the Wall and 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 that I have for him.
He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes.
and I try my best to a sure him that it is alright and the tears do not make him less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes,
he silently mouths, God Bless you, Dad
We WILL meet someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way
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 ,
I notice the US Flag that is so proudly in front of us every day,
is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today.
..Battle Hymn of the Republic