I agree that Memorial Days is the day we honor those that gave their lives. But I also thank veterans I served with and other veterans for their service. Yes, they came back but many returned with horrible body injuries including PTSD. Call me clueless all you want but that’s how I roll. I also honor all veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice and veterans who served on Veterans Day. These brave men and women died and served for the preservation of our freedom so that freedom gives me the right to celebrate this day any way I choose. Our club is having a Memorial Day celebration today to honor all of the hero’s who died in all of the wars and to thank any veterans who are in attendance. Taps will be played to honor the heros who did not come back!!!
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which resulted in

 

Our local Lowes store put up this temporary display. Very thoughtful.

 

Here you go, Ray: An excellent, escorted tour of the Normandy invasion beaches sponsored by the Smithsonian.

 

And being a Vietnam vet, with several names on the wall that I know, this one always gets me:

 

Wow, Gene I can understand why that one hits hard.

 

FWIIW: When I was stationed at Fort Dix, NJ I was assigned to a company that trained radio operators (Army MOS 05B) in 1970-71. Every eight weeks we would get about 225 trainees through the cycle. At the end of the cycle about 175 of them would get orders for Vietnam. Where having a radio strapped on one's back was similar to having a target painted on one's back because the Viet Cong knew that the radio operator was the one that would call in the air or artillery strikes.

In May of 1971 I was "lucky" enough (based on my test scores) to get stationed at the Pentagon. Where I became a "Chair Bourne" ranger. I did receive the Army Commendation Medal for my service, which I am proud of. However, to this day I do have some "survivor's guilt". So every Memorial Day I think about all of those that did NOT come home.

 

Have you ever been there Dave?
I didn't serve in Viet Nam ( too young) and I don't know anyone whose life was lost there.
It still was incredibly moving.
Unlike the extravagant statues of generals on horses that folks stroll by with all the affect of yet another big tree,
the Viet Nam is treated with a religious reverence and folks lower there voices in respect.
Rather remarkable to think back to the disrespect the creator got when it was originally proposed.
It's rather remarkable, there is no Normandy grave yard or Pearl Harbor monument for Vietnam, except the wall.

 

I've never been there. I don't know anyone who died there. I have relatives and friends who served in Nam, some messed up, but they all lived.

 

I remember the controversy when the Vietnam memorial was designed/built. Young female architect and radical design. But it is indeed very moving in its simplicity. And has proven to be a lasting and wonderful tribute to those who died there.

 

It is a very moving memorial. I think what makes it moving for us is that it was our war during our time. There aren't many of us that don't know a name on that wall.