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Song Playing: The Thunder Rolls
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize
have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon 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 in the memories that we had.
I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant ones
that we had together. Tell our other brothers out there
to come and visit me,
not to say good bye but to say hello and be together again,
even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.
Today, an irresistible 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
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.
My mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30 years past.
There's 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 the 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 I had not felt in so many years.
Dad has crossed to this side of the Wall, and through our touch I try to convey to her that Dad is doing 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 on my waiting hand.
All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past
flash between our touch and I tell her that it's alright.
Carry on with your life and don't worry about me.....
I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me,
and a big burden has been lifted from her.
I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past.
There is my lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO,
a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember
having as I grew up as a child,
and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my wife.
One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge
that I am very proud of, and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal.
I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam, and he had probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
I can tell that they are preparing to leave
and I try to take 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 can only thank them
that I was not forgotten.
My wife and Momma come 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 if dew drops on the other side of the Wall.
They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulders.
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.
He puts his hand upon it 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 the love that I have for him.
He falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes
and I try my best to reassure him that it's alright and 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 meanwhile, go on your way.....There is no hurry
.....There is no hurry at all.
As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell out to THEM and EVERYONE there today,
as loud as I can...THANKS FOR REMEMBERING,
and as others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the U.S. flag
that so proudly flies in front of us everyday is flapping and standing proudly straight out
in the wind today...
..THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING.....
