As many times as this has circulated, as many times as I have read it...
each time is like a new story and each tear it brings is a new tear. For
those who have never read it, I think you will enjoy it. For those that
have read it... I think you will agree that it bears repeating. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that come on a regular
basis. It was hard at first, not that its gotten any easier, but it
seems that many of the attitudes towards that war 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, need not be built.
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have called
me to the wall by touching my name which is engraved on 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 the 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 Goodbye but to say Hello and
to be together again, even if only for a short time and to ease the pain
of loss that we all share.
Today an irrestible 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 Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day, I have also
regretted it as 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 have been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the
pleasant memories of thirty years past. There is a young man in a
military uniform standing with his arm around her....My God...It's...it
has to be my son. Look at him trying to be a 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 that I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side
of the Wall and through our touch, I try and convey to her that Dad is
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 upon my waiting hand. All the emotions, feelings and memories
of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her that it is
allright. Carry on with your life and do not worry about me.......I can
see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me and a
heavy burden has been lifted from her
I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky
charm was taken from me and sent to her by my C.O., a tattered and worn
teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child and
also several medals that I had earned and which were presented to my
wife. One of them is a Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of and
I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I earned mine in the
jungles of Vietnam and he probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to make 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 I 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 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 love that I have for him. He falls to his knees and tears
flow from his eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it is all
right and that 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 walking off in the distance, I yell out to THEM and to
EVERYONE there today, as loudly as I can, "THANKS FOR REMEMBERING" and
as others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the American
Flag that so proudly flies in front of us each day is flapping and
standing proudly straight out in the wind today.THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING
Written by Patrick Camunes
