[SAMWolf]

Please Let me know via freepmail or in a post if you want on/off my ping list.

[SAMWolf]

From an unusual vantage point, the distress of the despondent veteran standing in front of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall is evident, as he leans on his crutches, a hand partially covering his downcast face. The hope and uplifting assurance of the Guardian Angel that supports the soldier is depicted in the beautiful portrait of her face.

This piece won second place at the national 1995 Congressional Art Competition and was designated to hang in the office of Rep. John Ensign, R-Nev., in Washington, D.C. At the Congressional Awards Ceremony, Ensign not only expressed extreme pleasure in having her picture hang in his office but made a point to express his personal feelings. Ensign recalled his visit to the wall just prior to the contest. "It literally felt like angels were surrounding the place," he said. "When I first saw this drawing ... I just couldn't believe it."

He was even more surprised to learn that Ragen had never been there.

Although no one is buried at the memorial, it is hallowed ground. Everyone who visits is emotionally affected, and Ragen was able to capture that intense emotion while synchronously reminding the viewer of the strength and support lovingly given by otherworldly beings. Not only are the soldier and angel guardians, so are the gifts left at the base of the wall.

[Blood of Tyrants]

Hoo-rah, brother, hoo-rah.

[dd5339]

PING!

[SpookBrat]

Oh SAM, what a beautiful, emotional thread. Thank you so much. The pictures are wonderful.

[Fiddlstix]

Bump

[tomkow6]

Thank you Sam. Yes, please keep me on your ping list.
Tom

[harpseal]

BTT for absent friends.

Stay well - Stay safe - Stay armed - Yorktown

[Flint]

Great post. That isn't an M-16 rifle. It is an M-14 and it looks like the barrel has been shortened somewhat.

[The Mayor]

Bump!

[txzman]

Thanks for a great post.

[angkor]

They also carried chocolate.

When she was a very young girl, my wife - who is Vietnamese - was lost in her town on the Delta. Just beyond toddler-stage, she had forgotten how to get home, and she remembers that she was crying and afraid.

An American soldier - "very big and with a moustache" - gave her chocolate, took her by the hand, and led her house-to-house until he finally got her home.

Sometime I'd like to see a movie about the war, but from the South Vietnamese perspective.

[ladtx]

Good post SAM. I've still got a P-38 on my keyring. It still works great and gets a good workout opening coffee cans, soup cans or any other kind of can, and makes a handy-dandy little screwdriver.

336th AHC -- Soc Trang AAF, Sep 69 - Sep 70

SCOUTS OUT!

[leadpenny]

And if they lived at a firebase (which I did not) for any length of time, they carried a smell, a body odor, that came only from being there. Even two or three days of out-processing at Cam Ranh Bay couldn't get rid of it. I'll never forget the smell of the Grunt.

Oh, and they carried a bottle of Tobasco Sauce, if they could get it.

Nice post SAMWolf.

[daapfe]

Just my little contribution...

One more hill!!!
One more hill they tell us to take
in my mind I know it must be a mistake
One more hill from the enemies hands
a capable foe who surely can
bring death and despair on me so clear
just like the friends i lost over this last year
one year in hell one year of my life
so many friends dead at the beginning of their lives
One more hill number 875
one more time the fear bottles up from deep inside
a crash of mortars the roar of jets
lets me know the time is not far off,yet
my hearts in my throat with trouble and fear
knowing at any moment i shall definetly hear
the sound of death come oh so damn near
alas comes the call to get on the move
as we make our way out it seems all like a bad dream,but i know it is true
One more hill i shall take to my dying day
To many god damn friends did i loose on the god awful day

Just a little something to show i will never forget My dad who was in the 173rd airborne. Or all the vets who fought died and continue to fight...

[Valin]

My God, were we really that young?
It's rapidly becoming a long time ago.

[BRO68]

I've carried my P-38 on my key chain for 34 years. Most folks have no idea what it is.

[Light Speed]

Great Post Sam

They carried memories...
Being one who researches lots..and is into all things visual...my impression concerning Vietnam..is that those who participated might find rest for their souls ...in this lifetime.

[windcliff]

ping

[Light Speed]

3rd Bat/9th Marine in the A'shau Valley

1st Marine airwing [VMFAW-316] putting it down on Victor Charlie...1966

[leadpenny]

You're in my thoughts, SB. Especially when I remember how the 'Donut Dollies' and USO Tours lifted the spirits of hundreds of thousands of GI's in country.