"Autumn Wall"
Submitted By Mark Cuttriss, V.P. Howard Cty. Vietnam Veterans
(There are so many things that are written about the Vietnam Wall but never anything of being on the other side. I was so inspired by the picture "Reflections" that I used it as wallpaper on my PC and a recent story, Autumn Wall. Enjoy. Patrick Camunes.)
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 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 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 and sisters. This was my destiny as it is yours, to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall my brothers and sisters, 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 and sister 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 Mom! 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 have 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.
Mom comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gently 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 Mom 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.
Watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by me 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 the medal. I had earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he had probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq.
