KERN-L Archives

From: "jrs" <>
Subject: [KERN-L] Memorial Day
Date: Thu, 21 May 1998 16:15:33 -0500

Got this from one of the other lists I belong to.

Martha Reynolds
-----Original Message-----
From: jrs <>
To: <>
Date: Thursday, May 21, 1998 3:50 PM
Subject: Fw: [POODLE-L] FW: [ A Family Reunion At The Vietnam Wall]

>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Jean Oconnor <>
>To: <>
>Date: Wednesday, May 20, 1998 1:38 PM
>Subject: [POODLE-L] FW: [ A Family Reunion At The Vietnam Wall]
>
>
>>All,
>>
>>This is not Cocker or Poodle related. It is a touching story, and I
>>hope we will all remember our brave veterans this Memorial Day.
>>
>>Jean
>>
>>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,
>>Autumn Wall."
>>
>>At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that
>>Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my
>>Sisters wait to see 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 of the attitudes towards that war
>>that we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones
>>on the other side have learned something and more Walls as this one
>>needn't be built.
>>
>>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 times 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 of 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 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. 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 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 shoulder. 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
>>and he puts his hand upon the Wall 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 US Flag that so proudly flys in front of us everyday, is
>>flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today.....
>>
>>THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING.........
>>
>>==
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• [KERN-L] Memorial Day by "jrs" <>