'The Wall,' 25 Years Later

http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,155345,00.html

'The Wall,' 25 Years Later
John Rowan | November 01, 2007

This November marks the 25th anniversary of The Wall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, in Washington, D.C. To commemorate this event, perhaps the only event of its kind with widespread significance for an entire generation of veterans and their families, Vietnam Veterans of America will hold a parade on November 10th.

This parade will be the "Welcome Home" many of our brother and sister veterans never received.

This will be a time to remember all of those who served during the turbulent years of the Vietnam War, and particularly those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and never got back to "The World."

On The Wall are the names of our buddies with whom we served, friends and siblings with whom we grew up, our classmates, and our teammates.

On The Wall they are memorialized, their names etched into the polished black granite for all to read for years and years to come.

The names on The Wall are America. They represent every race, color, and creed. Many of them were not citizens when they gave their lives for their adopted country. Whatever their background, they are joined together forever.

The Wall also commemorates the sacrifice of all who served in Southeast Asia. Many survived the war only to be cut down before their time by illnesses associated with their exposure to toxic herbicides and parasites. Others still suffer from the long-term effects of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder.

It's safe to say those who served came home changed -- some for the better, some not. They, too, will be remembered.

Veterans of our war will not, unlike old generals, just fade away. Vietnam Veterans of America will continue educating and agitating, advocating in the corridors of Congress, to ensure that the walking wounded of the next generation will receive the services and care they need.

Congress will understand what we hold as self-evident, that caring for the combatants after they separate from the military is part of the continuing cost of our national defense.

All Americans should know that this new generation of troops is fighting as well as we fought in Southeast Asia. We served with honor, as did our fathers and mothers, our aunts and uncles, who served in Korea and in World War II.

or any Veteran's Day parades in your area. Viet Nam vets gave their all and many were draftees. I visited the wall a few years ago and am not ashamed to say that I cried like a baby. See, two guys from my hometown, pop. around 2500, died over there and several more came back messed up, even now after all these years. But even if I knew nobody on the wall, it is a very touching tribute to many men who should have never been there in the first place and who never returned. Let's hope this madness in Iraq ends soon and the Iraq wall can be smaller.

know anyone personally who is on it.