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Old 03-27-2011, 11:22 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Uptown Girl View Post
I read your post with care. I am not a veteran, but a number of my family members have served our country honorably. I have lost friends to war. My beloved husband has served in Viet Nam as a corpsman with the Marines.

We live in the suburbs of Chicago. We have the Moving Wall come to one of our neighboring communities yearly. My husband has regularly been a part of it's escort to placement when it arrives. There are names on that wall of people who have died in his arms and friends he has grieviously lost.

I have attended with him and have observed what a solemn and intimate experience it is. Our community keeps it in that way in it's preparation and presentation. Whether they do this out of choice or necessity, I'm not certain, but they let everyone know it's coming and those who want to attend do not let the opportunity escape them.

My husband George has also participated in "The Run for The Wall" which is a cross country motorcycle trip with poignant history, from California to The Wall in Washington. My words can not adequately portray an experience he will never forget.
Once he visited the monument however, he began his journey home. He didn't stay for the rally and ceremonies, the crowds, etc. That was not the purpose of his trip and held no appeal for him to indulge in.

It is with respect that I wish to add my comment. I am responding as an outside observer. When I read your post about all that you had hoped would transpire, it was overwhelming to even imagine.


I may be quite wrong, but perhaps it is the scope of what you desire, not the purpose or content, that served to quell it's inauguration. Nothing more.

I respect and admire your heartfelt intentions to recognize and honor those who have been and are our heroes.
I hope my husband George will consider putting his own response in this forum.
I wondered the same thing. The scope of events over six days would require a tremendous amount of logistical support. The growth to involvement of 20-plus organizations also increased the complexity. I can almost picture how initial enthusiasm could turn to... yikes, this is a larger and more complex project than we can handle.

I have visited The Wall in the nation's capital. It is a deeply moving and solemn experience. My heartfelt thanks goes every day to our veterans. Thanks also to all of the support organizations for their efforts.