By: Don Counts, USMC, a proud Vietnam Veteran
When the Vietnam Wall was being designed many veterans sent in suggestions on the design. At the time I favored a more traditional design and sent in my suggestions, but after the Wall was approved, it has become a great landmark and a place of healing for those of us that came home from the war. Through the years every time the wall comes to our area I have to go and reflect upon the memories of my brothers in arms whose names are on the Wall. I can’t help myself when the Wall is near I have to go.
I have known five men that are on the Wall. In years past I have always gone alone or with other veterans. This year my wife, Betty, and great grandson Ryan, went with me. The feelings and remembrances were the same but my composure was much better. As I walked around, finding my brothers names on the wall, my pride of service was high as friends would see me and come over, give me a hug and say “Thank you for your serviceâ€.
Rolling Thunder provided an excellent ceremony at the Wall in honor of the fallen heroes, on Saturday with the honor and dignity that the men on the Wall deserve. The Marine Corps League 1090 (http://www.mclrivercities.org/) provided security along with other veterans throughout the hours the wall was on display. This made it possible for the wall to remain open and secure for 24 hours of continuous viewing.
Next door to the Wall’s display was an art exhibit in the skating rink by a Vietnam War vet. His art has aided his healing by allowing him the self expression of drawing the nightmares that continue to rage in his head. He has a book containing his art titled “The Loss of Innocence, Wake Me When it is Over†by Vietnam Combat Veteran Rick McCarty. As I walked through the display, memories replayed, as it did for others I talked to at the exhibit.
Shortly after joining the Marine Corps in 1962, I was deployed to the USS Enterprise where we were positioned off the coast of Cuba during the missile crisis, waiting for President Kennedy to decide if we were going to attack. We came home to no fanfare, parades, or hearing anyone say thank-you. I went to Vietnam in 1967 to 1968, serving 13 months. I again came home again to no fanfare, parades, or a thank you. I served a total of 24 years in the Marine Corps. This is why the wall means so much to Vietnam Vets; we are getting our thank you.
Many Vietnam era veterans are active in Military Organizations trying to insure the veterans of today are thanked and know that their serve is appreciated.
I would like to thank the Mount Vernon American Legion and all the other veterans organizations that worked so hard to bring the wall back to the tri-state once again.
Hey Don,
Wonderful article. I too am a Nam Vet, two tours with the Army. I have not visited the traveling Wall, but, I have been to The Wall. It took me until 1996 to get there. I took with me my fiance and her friend the wife of a retired Rear Adm. I had to deliver a bottle of JB to one of my friends and a packet of Juicy Fruit chewing gum to the other. I found their names in the book and moved to the panels and counted down to the line of each.
I did the JB first, a friend but not like the other. I held it together. But, when I found Doug’s name I was getting lost. I placed the gum, And, noticed two lines below his was the name of another close friend that I had not been was not aware of. I totally lost it. I crumpled to the ground in a sobbing heap. My fiance immediately tried to comfort me and with the help of the Adm’s wife they were able to get me to my feet and up out of the Gash.
I was somewhat able to regain my composer. We then visited the statue of the three Nam soldiers. The artist did a great job. Then we walked over to the females statue. When I looked at the expressions on the women’s faces, while they comforted a wounded soldier and looked skyward for the Dust Off, I lost it again. The ladies were able to get me back to the car and my fiance drove us back to the Adm’s house on Chesapeake Bay. I excused myself from dinner and when to our guest bedroom and assumed a fetal position in the middle of the bed.
My fiance came in after dinner and I had regained some semblance of normalcy. She told me that at dinner, the wife had told my fiance to reconsider marrying me. Any man who would have such an emotion reaction at the site of a bunch of stone with some names on it, was mentally unstable and not someone she should marry. The Adm also thought that she should reconsider.
The next day we announced that we had had a change of plans and were cutting our visit short. And, we hit the road and ended up in San Antonio. We spent several days on the road. Mostly just driving. We ended up back in NY where she flew back to Malta. I need to go back to The Wall, but, I know that I cannot go alone. (My marriage did not last.)
There is another part of this story, but, that is for another time.
I have a friend who is a retired BG. He goes to The Wall on the same date every year. Sorry, I do not remember the significance of the date. He arrives before daylight. As the sun comes up, he sits there thinking of his friends and others, and wonders that their thoughts were when they awoke on their last Day.
For you who cannot understand why The Wall such an emotional impact on us Nam Vets. Guilt! Why did they die and not us? They left us with an obligation. An obligation to live our lives in honor of them. To protect and defend the Constitution that they gave that last full measure.
In a few days we will have Remembrance Day. Our day to honor those innocent people who were killed on 9/11 and those ‘first responders’ killed trying to save them. And, two months later we celebrate Veterans Day, 11/11. Let us not forget all of those who have given all in defense of the great nation.
Don of Indy
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