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USNAviator
05-28-10, 07:17 PM
Went to the Wall today

I finally got up the courage to visit the Wall. I was there at zero-dark-thirty and wasn't alone. I came in search of the names of my four childhood friends all of whom died in Nam. Three were Marines, one was Army. I found all four, shed some tears, had a few laughs and then departed. I'm 56 they are 19 and 20

Drove over to Arlington National. My wife and I started a family tradition years ago . We would chose a war or conflict, buy some flowers and try and find someone who passed long ago. Whose relatives no long cared or existed. We did this for many years. My Lorrie has passed on, I didn't continue with our tradition the past two years until today. I decided upon a WW 1 vet. Walking in the calm of the early sunrise I came upon the final resting place of Sgt. John Patrick Sullivan. USMC. KIA at Belleau Woods. 10 June 1918. I placed the flowers on the Sgt's grave, perhaps the first in many years or decades. RIP Sgt.

Final stop was the Iwo Memorial. Every time I visit I stand in awe. What an incredible site especially in the early morning light. Today I noticed for the first time, all six are in step!! I started to smile to myself, only Marines, raising a flag on top of a volcano under enemy fire would be in step!!!

I went to the Wall today, I came home a better man

God bless all who served

Dan

ecfree
05-28-10, 07:38 PM
God bless you DAN for what you did today....I remember when my wife and I went to "The Wall" a few years ago...I found who I was looking for and got a feeling deep down inside...I got that same feeling when I visited the "Traveling Wall" in Myrtle Beach a year or two ago.....I remember walking from one end,slowly to the other end (in DC ) with my eye's tearing as I went......
SEMPER FI DAN:iwo:.....................Ed

USNAviator
05-28-10, 08:19 PM
God bless you DAN for what you did today....I remember when my wife and I went to "The Wall" a few years ago...I found who I was looking for and got a feeling deep down inside...I got that same feeling when I visited the "Traveling Wall" in Myrtle Beach a year or two ago.....I remember walking from one end,slowly to the other end (in DC ) with my eye's tearing as I went......
SEMPER FI DAN:iwo:.....................Ed
Ed

Thank you for your kind words. I finally grew a pair and visited the Wall.Same reaction on my part. My best to you and your wife

Dan

Wyoming
05-28-10, 08:41 PM
Excellent post Dan. Thanks for visiting. I have a few friends there myself.


BTW, how many snake eaters, war heros and posers were you able to make out?

tdrt
05-28-10, 08:44 PM
God bless you DAN for what you did today....I remember when my wife and I went to "The Wall" a few years ago...I found who I was looking for and got a feeling deep down inside...I got that same feeling when I visited the "Traveling Wall" in Myrtle Beach a year or two ago.....I remember walking from one end,slowly to the other end (in DC ) with my eye's tearing as I went......
SEMPER FI DAN:iwo:.....................Ed


I have never made it the full length....

ecfree
05-28-10, 08:51 PM
I have never made it the full length....
Yeah TROY,it's tough going,I wanted to stop less than half way,but took a deep breath and focused on what those men would do.......:evilgrin:

USNAviator
05-28-10, 08:51 PM
I have never made it the full length....

Troy

I understand. I grew up in Arlington,Va. and this was the first time I screwed up enough courage to visit. Odd, I can go to the Korean War exhibit et al but Viet Nam, it hurts.

Dan

Big Jim
05-28-10, 08:57 PM
Hey Dan....I know this is before my time but I sincerely respect all veterans....especially Viet Nam vets. I have an Uncle who is on that wall....and I have made that same walk and had the same experience. This weekend here in Columbus, Ohio....an edition of the travelling wall is coming and as a Patriot Rider...a few of us were asked to escort and guard the wall during its short tenure here in our state. So this Monday, I will be riding alongside many fellow veteran brothers, proudly flying my Marine Corps and US flags high on my bike as I will be an honored color guard.

You inspire me my friend...I will try and do the same as you have by choosing a lonely grave of a fallen brother and decorate his long forgotten grave. That selfless act is what makes you a better person , my friend. Alot of people, including me, can take a chapter from your book, my friend. SEMPER FI....

USNAviator
05-28-10, 09:01 PM
Excellent post Dan. Thanks for visiting. I have a few friends there myself.


BTW, how many snake eaters, war heros and posers were you able to make out?

Actually not many Al, at zero-dark-thirty I think they all were grabbing some sack time. Oh I'm sure they will be about this weekend in their Dress Blues with their Navy Cross's and Purple Hearts or their Navy Class A's and their faux Aviator wings and DFC's or their Army Ranger berets or their Air Force... well who would claim to be in the Air Force!!!! ;)

Enjoy y'all

Dan

USNAviator
05-28-10, 09:06 PM
Hey Dan....I know this is before my time but I sincerely respect all veterans....especially Viet Nam vets. I have an Uncle who is on that wall....and I have made that same walk and had the same experience. This weekend here in Columbus, Ohio....an edition of the travelling wall is coming and as a Patriot Rider...a few of us were asked to escort and guard the wall during its short tenure here in our state. So this Monday, I will be riding alongside many fellow veteran brothers, proudly flying my Marine Corps and US flags high on my bike as I will be an honored color guard.

You inspire me my friend...I will try and do the same as you have by choosing a lonely grave of a fallen brother and decorate his long forgotten grave. That selfless act is what makes you a better person , my friend. Alot of people, including me, can take a chapter from your book, my friend. SEMPER FI....

Big Jim, good for you. Do your duty as you see fit and thank you for your kind words but it was my Lorrie who started it all. I simply followed her direction

If you can find a lonely grave of a Vet and place a flower or two you have no idea how good you'll feel :thumbup:

Dan

Sgt Leprechaun
05-28-10, 11:51 PM
I do this in my little hometown graveyard, for a Marine PFC, every Memorial Day and Birthday. Tears me up of course but I still do it. I plant a flag and the MC Colors.

Can't go back to DC (yet...maybe someday).

USNAviator
05-29-10, 08:09 AM
I do this in my little hometown graveyard, for a Marine PFC, every Memorial Day and Birthday. Tears me up of course but I still do it. I plant a flag and the MC Colors.

Can't go back to DC (yet...maybe someday).

Thank you for doing that Sgt. Lep I'm sure all this country there are many long forgotten, unattended graves of Veterans.

Dan

Old Marine
05-29-10, 10:11 AM
For those living in the Reno, Nevada area, the Traveling Wall will be there June 17 through June 22. I have it on my Bucket List to go see.

While on active duty I never got to Vietnam, but trained many , many young Marines during that time and most all of them had to go.

montana
05-29-10, 12:33 PM
thanks for the post MOS...i cant hardle look at the wall on my computer...i dont like the feelings that start to take over...to sad....RIP my brothers

Danny C Smith
05-29-10, 01:47 PM
I was just a little kid during the War in
Viet nam and was IRR during Desert storm.
Just waiting for the orders.
I have never seen battle on forign soil.
You MARINES have my full gratitude and Respect.
Everytime I meet a Vet of any war, even younger than me,
I try not to stare at them in awe like a stupid kid.

Semper Fi and thank you for your sacrifice.

Smitty:usmc:

Rocky C
05-29-10, 03:23 PM
OUTSTANDING Dan and God Bless You!!!

Monday I will go to the Veterans Cemetary in Exeter, Rhode Island as I Always do.
Solemn Day.

It's rather Beautiful there though.
There are differant Burial sections for the Branches of the Service.

Not many Marines from Rhode Island though over all these years.
They will add One more Brother when it is My time..........

Semper Fi,
Rocky

USNAviator
05-29-10, 05:10 PM
OUTSTANDING Dan and God Bless You!!!

Monday I will go to the Veterans Cemetary in Exeter, Rhode Island as I Always do.
Solemn Day.

It's rather Beautiful there though.
There are differant Burial sections for the Branches of the Service.

Not many Marines from Rhode Island though over all these years.
They will add One more Brother when it is My time..........

Semper Fi,
Rocky

Thank you Rocky, very kind!

I've been to that cemetery with my father-in-law many years ago. You're right it is very beautiful. If I recall there are no upright tombstones, every grave has a flat stone as a marker?

Here's hoping all Veterans find their own type of peace on Monday and remember those who died so we could live free

Dan

Sgt Leprechaun
05-29-10, 06:06 PM
Amen.

DrZ
08-20-10, 08:28 AM
Dan,
I visited the Wall once...several years ago. Found the name of my 2nd cousin, one of my wife's family, as well as some of my brothers from back then. There were many kids there with their parents and many vets both younger and older. Those my age, shared a handshake and a tear. I left my ribbons there....only because I can't find the my medals anymore. I saw other gifts at the Wall as well. Things like wings, dogtags, medals, letters, flowers, and even a John Wayne ( P38 opener ) or two. It is my understanding whomever takes care of the Wall, collects the gifts daily and they are stored in some sub-basement of the Smithsonian. It was a tough visit but I am truthfully glad I went.

God bless you for renewing your tradition. Those looking down at you appreciate it.

When I need to just get away for a while, I jump on my Harley and go to the new Veteran's Garden in the Dallas/Ft Worth area to visit my Dad and several others I know who have been assisgned that location as their final duty station.

brian0351
08-20-10, 09:09 AM
Hope you stopped off at the WWI memorial on the mall. It's a pity that it's hidden back away from view. A forgotten memorial for a forgotten war.

Bruce59
08-20-10, 11:24 AM
Dan, your story has both tears to my eyes. putting flowers on a WW1
grave was a great thing to do. Because my great uncle was killed in WW1
US Army and is still in France. You may have seen the glass wall here in Jacksonville with all 58,000 name, in alphabetical order one of the few
with all the names outside DC.