A poem I wrote 15 yrs ago after seeing the wall
. . Contributed By Ben Weihrich On Sunday, May 25, 2003
THE HEALING Long ago, in the Age of Aquarius, there was a war. A war which divided father against son, brother against brother, friend against friend. A war which left mothers, wives, sweethearts in tears and questions in their hearts. Some of those brothers, friends fathers and sons came home whole, others missing limbs, and those who came home in a gray coffin, and still others who are still missing. Time has passed, as time does, and the wounds from that war has slowly healed not completely though. The people still remember the hurt, the anger, the grief, and the terror of that war. The nation had tried to forget the war because that war was never won and the nation was disgraced by that war. The warriors who came home faced and felted empathy, ridicule, hopelessness, nightmares, fear and terror. These dishearten warriors tried to distanced themselves from that war, but they could not. The war drew them like a moth to a flame. So with courage and faith these grunts, flyers, radiomen, medic's, docs, nurses, cap't's, swabjocks, jarheads, doggies, chopper jocks, all kinds of rank and file, hippies, dissenters, draftdodgers, went to the people of that nation seeking to heal those wounds caused by the war. Without the capital of the capitol, but with clout of the powers to be behind the seats of government, these warriors made their dream and the nation's come true in the fall of '82. Together with courage and compromise, the "WALL" is a reality today. The fathers, mothers, sweethearts, brothers, sisters, friends, foes, strangers came to see, touch, cry, rejoice when they saw or did not see a name on the the "WALL". Friends were made and reunited wounds healed, goodbyes were said, unspoken words were spoken, and things of love were left. The hippies and hawks became one, the glorifiers and the demeanors are silenced by the "Blackness Of The Wall". No Shame No Glory Just a celebration of heroes Respectfully Submitted Ben Weihrich, Jr. Midland, TEXAS bicycleben@juno.com Ben E. W

Freedom
. . Contributed By Steve V. Riojas (Roundhouse) On Sunday, May 25, 2003
Freedom Is not Free. To those who have protested anything. Take time to give thank's to those Soldiers that have protected and given the ultimate sacrifice to continue that Right. God Bless Our Country an Peace Be with you all.

Forgotten Heroes
. . Contributed By Bob Baker Combat Tracker 173rd Abn Bde 68-69 On Sunday, May 25, 2003
On this Memorial Day let us remember 4000 other herores, only 200 made it home from Nam. They gave their lives for us. The Scout, Tracker, Sentry, Mine, Bobby Trap and tunnel Dogs. They wait for us over The Rainbow Bridge! There is no Wall for them.

I Remember.
. . Contributed By Daniel B. Fivehouse On Sunday, May 25, 2003
It's been 34 years, but I still remember and won't forget. Welcome home brothers.

Nicholas Ben Enriquez

My cousin Nicholas "nicky" Enriquez was K.I.A on Nov. 1, 1967 in thua Thien, South Vietnam, he was only 20 years. He was a CPL E4 U.S.M.C. He enlisted, and began his tour in June 1967. He was the only son of my aunts.His death took a heavy toll on the family, we miss and love you Nicky. You had a heart big as gold. You're with the Angels now. Love your cousin "tater"

Many hero's lost, yet none forgotten
. . Contributed By J. Olmsted On Sunday, May 25, 2003
Thanking all the hero's that gave there lives so I could live is something that can never truely be accomplished. Still you and your families are in my thoughts and prayers everyday. My own Father may be alive, but the war took his soul a long time ago. It took my Daddy and he suffers everyday from what the war did to him and his friends. I pray that others will not have to endure the horrors of the painful memories and try to heal wounds suffered long ago. I love Dad, and always will.

Heroes
. . Contributed By Greg Reynolds On Sunday, May 25, 2003
As a young boy living next to Elmwood cemetary in Birmingham, AL in the 1960's, I can remember hearing "Taps" played on more than one occasion; I'm sure at least one of those was in honor of a local son "returning" from Viet Nam. On this Memorial Day, I would like to say I may not have understood then, but after having served myself, maybe I do now. May God bless all who have made the ultimate sacrifice for this country.

My Brother,SGT.EDWARD F ZACKOWSKI
. . Contributed By Ernie Zackowski On Monday, May 26, 2003
My Brother gave his life on 11-28-67 in a place so far away for the freedom of others just like so many other Heros did . he wrote me a poem in 67 . To my brother Ernie- I came to this place because there was a job to be done. Right from the beginning I knew it wouldn't be fun. I'm here for a year and a year I will stay. I'll fight like hell and hope and pray my being here will keep my brother away. Your brother Ed Veitnam,1967

Thinking of an old friend
. . Contributed By Don DeAngelis On Monday, May 26, 2003
My good friend Larry Crisci, gave his life in Viet Nam. Remembering him on this special day.

1Lt George C. Bass
. . Contributed By Laurie Wagner On Monday, May 26, 2003
My brother, George C. Bass was KIA in Vietnam March 6, 1971 while commanding B Co 2/7 1st Air Cav Div. I am looking for anyone who knew. He graduated from Leavenworth High School, Leavenworth KS in 1965 and from West Point in 1969. He served in Vietnam from August 1970 until his death. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star for Valor with four oak leaf clusters and the Puple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters. It would mean so much to me to hear from those who knew him. Thank you.