'The Wall' honors Vietnam vets for 20 years

Air Force Link ^ | 11/07/02 | Unknown

[SAMWolf]

'The Wall' honors Vietnam vets for 20 years

Thousands will gather at the National Mall in the coming days to witness and participate in ceremonies marking the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The weeklong remembrance began with a musical tribute to Vietnam veterans Nov. 6 and will end with a Veterans Day observance Nov. 11. In between, more than 1,000 volunteers will read the names inscribed on "The Wall," starting at 3:30 p.m. Nov. 7 and ending at midnight Nov. 10.

It is only the third time in The Wall's history that all 58,229 names will be read aloud. Volunteers, each reciting an average of 30 names, will read for about 19 hours each day Nov. 8-10. The full list of names was read in 1982 as part of the memorial's dedication and again in 1992 during activities commemorating the memorial's 10th anniversary.

Master Sgt. Angeline Robinson, the Pentagon's vice president of the Washington Area Top 3, will attend a reading for the second time, although this will be her first as a participant. She attended The Wall's 10th anniversary reading, and obtained a "wall rubbing" on behalf of her boss at the time, Adm. David E. Jeremiah, vice chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The name of Jeremiah's nephew was one of those being read.

"When I remembered that, this year's reading became very significant to me," she said. "I decided to participate because it's a way to honor those who went before us."

Thirty-four Air Force members from the Washington Area Top 3 will read 540 names, beginning at 11:24 p.m. Nov. 8.

"It's a way for us to give back," Robinson said. "It's as simple as that."

For some, though, the symbolism of reading the names on The Wall goes deeper. One of those is Bao Nguyen, a Vietnamese-American who was once jailed by the North Vietnamese, later served as a South Vietnamese Army officer, and currently works at the Pentagon on the Air Force Chief Information Officer's staff.

"Each year (on Veterans Day), I have a need to express my gratitude to all American veterans in general, all the Vietnam veterans in particular, and to the more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial for their sacrifices to defend the freedom of a people in a place they hardly knew," Nguyen said. "(And it's) not just me alone. Overseas, Vietnamese are forever grateful for those sacrifices."

For more information on the 20th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund Web site

[SAMWolf]

Thank you for the link souris

[SAMWolf]

The Vietnam Memorial

"Theirs was a noble cause . . . Let us not forget."

[MistyCA]

thanks!

[ProudEagle]

Add me to the list please Sam.

[SAMWolf]

I remember the controversy when the deisign was first announced. If I remember correctly, Oliver Stone lead a charge against the acceptance of the design.

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for the links CIB-173RDABN

Thanks for your service and "Welcome Home"

[bluesagewoman]

SSDD! Hopefully, we can make a small difference. Thanks for asking.

(link to Mo. Freep)

[SAMWolf]

Thanks for sharing that Spooky.

STEPHEN LEE BRADDOCK

[MistyCA]

You and all the other freepers who give so much time to doing the freeps are very much appreciated! Thank you for what you do. I know it makes a difference to many. :)

[SAMWolf]

Hi RA. Thanks for the time you spent in the Military.

[SAMWolf]

You got it. Thanks.

[habs4ever]

This is a great article, with terrific pictures you have added along the thread.Thanks so much, SAM.It is a fine tribute.

[SpookBrat]

Thank you. I wish I could have known him. I've never even seen his picture. It's heart breaking for all families who lost a son or daughter.

[SAMWolf]

<=== Mash The picture.

We can do a better link for you Blue.

The Columbus Missouri Freepers were out against the useful idiots again this weekend showing their support for our Troops, Check them out

[SAMWolf]

Thanks habs, other have contributed the great graphics. I just posted the article.

[radu]

Thank you for the ping, SAM. One day I hope to be able to travel to D.C. and experience "The Wall" for myself.

The Viet Nam War veterans waited a long time, too long IMHO, for the "Welcome Home's" and honors they deserved. The ceremonies this week warm my heart.

To all the Viet Nam veterans out there, "Welcome Home" and Thank You for your service to our country. God bless you all.

[Aquamarine]

Seeing that Wall is a moving experience. The memories....

[SAMWolf]

I had the pleasure of participating in the Chicago Welcome Home Parade in 1986. It's one of the fonder memories in my life.

[SAMWolf]

One I hope to be able to experience myself some day.
Thanks for the bump aquamarine.

[Victoria Delsoul]

Thank you for posting this, Sam. Your efforts to support the troops have gone unnoticed by many.

I didn't have the chance to properly thank you for all the work you did at the Canteen, so I'm taking this opportunity to thank you. You have always thought about the troops and your heart has always been on the right causes. God Bless you Samwolf for your honesty and integrity.