The Wall caretakers provide pencils and these strips of paper for visitors to make rubbings of names. People leave mementos and gifts at the foot of it. I felt as if I were in a magnetic vortex when I was there.
Sunday, July 29, 2012
I'm Seven-and-a-Half Weeks Late
Standing here makes one's hair stand up, away from one's scalp. Really.
I wanted to put these pictures up for Memorial Day, but I couldn't find them until now.
The name of one of my classmates, whom I also considered a friend is on this wall. I visited this heart wrenching structure in nineteen-ninety-something.
This photo was taken near the day we graduated from high school. Larry is on the left. My back is to the camera but I know it is me because I wore that danged shirt everywhere. Bill Yerby is standing with Larry. He is married to one of my best friends now.
After graduation, Larry studied to become a pharmacist and then went to Viet Nam. He is one of three brothers and all three of them died early and tragically. The last time I saw Larry Padberg was at a New Year's Eve party at his house. Such a loss.
The Wall caretakers provide pencils and these strips of paper for visitors to make rubbings of names. People leave mementos and gifts at the foot of it. I felt as if I were in a magnetic vortex when I was there.
The Wall caretakers provide pencils and these strips of paper for visitors to make rubbings of names. People leave mementos and gifts at the foot of it. I felt as if I were in a magnetic vortex when I was there.
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6 comments:
I can just imagine the emotions. I would love to visit someday. I have heard about the paper and pencils and Ii think it is a beautiful idea. ((Hugs))
I can just imagine the emotions. I would love to visit someday. I have heard about the paper and pencils and Ii think it is a beautiful idea. ((Hugs))
this is so sad. so much war, so much grief, and so much loss. it is just heartbreaking.
the maker of the wall did a great service to us all. and it is very very very nice that one can make rubbings of the names.
The wall is beautiful and heart wrenching. So much unnecessary loss. I accompanied my daughters 8th grade class there in 2006. So many tears have been shed there.
Thanks for sharing your story.
I'm so sorry to hear you lost your friend so long ago, but he's not forgotten. Bless him and all the young men and women who gave up their lives for our freedom.
I felt the same way when I visited Pearl harbor.
Hugs Lynn
I don't know why I'm here today, but I am to catch up. It's really an avoidance of taking my Expedition (paid for) to Palo Alto for a hair appointment where it will probably not fit, and I will be spit upon (in my mind where everyone in CA hates something). My first alone trip over the bridge in an earthquake zone.
Anyway, we went to see Ms. Saigon many years ago with a much younger couple. I sobbed and sobbed. They didn't understand.
I lost no friends because I was a bit younger than Viet Nam (in my dreams MUCH younger), but brothers of friends vanished. I remember the horrible TV news and was regularly arguing with my brother against the war at the dinner table. My step-father left his nightly addiction of mashed potatoes to escape the heated banter.
My brother has a retirement income now from the military, and I have nothing but my passion. Guess I was on the wrong side.
(Not blogging currently.)
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