(click on picture to hear music)
The Wall
If you've ever seen the painting "Reflections" of the Vietnam Wall inWashington, you've seen the man standing there with his hand on the wall,mourning his dead father or brother who was killed. What he doesn't seeis the reflection from the other side showing that relative with HIS hand onthe wall, touching the hand of his survivor. That painting inspiredthis story.
FROM THE OTHER SIDE
By Patrick Camunes
"There are so many things that are written about the Wall but never anything of being on the other side. I was inspired by the picture Reflections that I use as wallpaper on my PC and a recent story, AutumnWall." At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up thatBlackGranite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my Sisters wait tosee the many people from places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that come on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many ofthe attitudes towards that war that we were involved in have changed. I canonly pray that the ones on the other side have learned something andmore Walls as this one needn't be built. Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have calledme to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it. The tearsaren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back. Don't feel guiltyfor 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 thatwehad. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out thereto come and visit me, not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and be togetheragain,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 itbecause I didn't know what reaction I would have. Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard itmustof been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military uniformstandingwith his arm around her......My God!......It's...it has to be my son. Lookat him trying to be the man without a tear in his eye. I yearn to tell himhow proud I am, seeing him standing tall, straight and proud in hisuniform. Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft andgentletouch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of theWall 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 couragebuilding as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches and lays her hand on mywaiting hand. All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decadespast flash between our touch and I tell her that it's alright. Carry on with yourlife and don't worry about me......I can see as I look into her eyesthat 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. My luckycharmthat was taken from me and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and worn teddybear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child and severalmedals that I had earned and were presented to my wife. One of them isthe Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of and I notice that my son isalso wearing this medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnamand 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 mentalpicture of them together, because I don't know when I will see themagain. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only thank themthat Iwas not forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final touch andso many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are let go. As they turn toleave I feel my tears that had not flowed for so many years, form as ifdew drops on the other side of the Wall. They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder. My sonsuddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud infront of me and snaps a salute. Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had formed on the face ofthe Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence there and the pride andthelove 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 tearsdo notmake him any less of a man. As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes, he silently mouths,GodBless 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 andEVERYONEthere today, as loud as I can,.........THANKS FOR REMEMBERING and as otherson this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the US Flag that so proudlyflys in front of us everyday, is flapping and standing proudly straightout in the wind today...........................THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING..
Note: I received this from several people and I wish to thank you all for seeing it and sending it to me..............Windy.