My name is not there.
. . Contributed By Stephen Callahan On Friday, November 11, 2005
It struck me the first time I visited The Wall. My name could have been there. Like many, I was coming of age in the mid 60's. For those reading these words and were not yet born during this period, let me say your immediate future after high school was pre-determined. You went to higher education or you went into the military. I chose not to go to university right away, so I knew what was going to happen. I felt an obligation to serve my country, but I did want some control over my future. I opted to enlist in the Navy, to serve two years more than those who chose to take their chances with the draft, in exchange for a little control of what was to happen to me. I saw the name of a boyhood friend listed with all the others. Bill decided to take his chances. He did not get to come back. The realization suddenly hit me like a hammer. My name could have been there. I am not what you might call a flag waver, but I am proud to have served my country. I wish Bill and all the others could have come back.

Life as a Teen in the 60s

Actually , I knew thoughout high school I would be drafted and sent to Vietnam. As it turned out that's exactly what happened.I did have a few choices to do otherwise but I decided not to. One was an offer in AIT to go to West Point, When I found out I would have to become an enlisted man an add years to my tour I told the Major , no.Later in Vietnam when we were first being assigned, a young man had looked at our 201 files and asked if I would be the Company clerk. I told the manno thanks.Believe it or not a bond had already formed with my fellow soul mates of the Infantry. I had decided I was going to be with them to the end. A teen in the sixties.

looking for any body vietnam 67 -68
. . Contributed By PEDRO CARO-ESCARREGA On Friday, November 11, 2005
looking for any of my friends serve in viet-nam 67-68 98supply depot QuiNhon

Sgt. Floyd Andrew Deal
. . Contributed By Doug Deal On Saturday, November 12, 2005
Flagstaff, Arizona, USA this is always a tough time for me will never forget that morning, I had my baseball uniform on walking out the front door going to play a double header. Up the walk came the General and the Chaplain. They asked me to go back inside, I refused, I knew then that the one person who loved me unconditionally was no longer in my life. Floyd was KIA. You see, I had to play ball that day, that's where Floyd would want me. When we were small and my dad would call and say he was coming to see us. I would wait all day but he would never show. I would cry and say dad doesn't love us. Floyd would take me by the hand and say, I love you. Lets go throw the ball around. Then there I was, in center field playing ball the way he taught me. The loneliest center fielder in the world, with tears in my eyes. When Margie Kaizawa and I went to Drake Hospital to talk to some of his platoon that were wounded, they told us a story, How they got caught in an ambush, some of Floyd's fellow soldiers were wounded. Floyd, being the corpsman, couldn't leave them there so he went back in. He didn't make it out. Floyd was selfless that way. There are many stories where I would get into trouble and Floyd was always there, always taking care of his little brother. He taught me so much about life. About defending myself. Most of all he taught me about courage and strength. For 30 years I carried with me a lot of anger, and resentment. I ended up in places where few would even read about. In those places I ran across many Viet Nam vets. They to had a void in them, an anger and fear they couldn't control. It was the dark side of life where we existed. The under belly. Those vets, like myself, had their innocence taken from them. Something we couldn't get back. The pain was very great. We shared that pain. Me talking about Floyd, them talking about their loved ones. Then something amazing happened on this journey. I was traveling down the East coast and I called my medicine woman and explained I had to go to the wall. She said "yes, its time". She came picked me up, along with her husband who was a vet himself. You see, I had put off going to the wall for along time. I used Floyd's death to act out in very selfish ways. It was time for me to ask for forgiveness. I will never forget that day. It was much like that day in center field. When I saw Floyd's name, the tears came, the pain came. and the healing came. While asking for forgiveness a calm came over me, like Floyd was smiling at me, like he touched me and said, "I love you little brother". It's been along hard journey. It's time to let it go. On the walk away from the Wall, I turned and looked back. I could see the whole Wall. All the names. In my selfishness I could now see that those names too, had brothers, sisters, children, mothers and fathers. I wasn't alone anymore. Floyd was a true warrior. He received the Silver Star. While thinking back on all those years of darkness, I couldn't get myself to admit that ------------ I love Floyd, and I miss him. Yet there is another part of this journey. Today Floyd has a nephew named after him. He is my son. Another warrior. A peace warrior. I will raise him the same way Floyd taught me. To stand for something or fall for everything. When you see those vets out there, who are homeless, or addicted to drugs. Remember. that they are human too need love also. Don't be to quick to turn away, for you see, one of them might have been Floyd. So because of Floyd, I am a better person today, this doesn't come from anger or hate, this tribute comes from sadness, and a place in my heart, called love. I love you Floyd, I miss you Floyd, thanx for being my big brother. Doug Deal

1st MAW 1st MAR DIV,MAG 11,DA NANG 1969-1971
. . Contributed By MIKE "RED" HOLMES On Saturday, November 12, 2005
IT'S BEEN 36 YEARS MY BROTHERS I MISS YOU ALL,ON THIS VETS DAY (A LITTLE LATE)HERE'S HOPING YOUR LIVS ARE GOOD AND FILLED WITH JOY,OF FAMILY,FREINDS,GRANDKIDS,SKI,JESSIE,SAM,MIKE R.,CAJUN AINT LIFE IN DA WORLD GREAT!GOD BLESS OUR BROTHERS WHO GAVE ALL.GET IN TOUCH BROTHERS ANYTIME I WILL BE GLAD TO HEAR FROM YOU--GOD BLESS P's FOREVER----RED

LOOKING FOR MICHAEL J.ROUTT DALLAS TX
. . Contributed By MICHAEL "RED" HOLMES On Saturday, November 12, 2005
ROUTT,THIS IS RED GET IN TOUCH BUDDIE IM IN ARKANSAS NOW REMARRIED W 10 GRANDKIDS FOR REAL THE ONE WHO SAID "NO KIDS"GET IN TOUCH BUDDIE I KNOW YOU OUT THEIR!

JESSIE RAMERIZ 1st MAW MAG 11
. . Contributed By MIKE "RED" HOLMES On Saturday, November 12, 2005
WHERE YOU AT JESSIE THIS IS RED YOU WERE A DRIVER IN MOTOR T IN DA NANG MAG 11 WE USE TO PARTY WITH SKI,MIKE ROUTT.ECT.GET IN TOUCH,STILL GOT THE PICTURE OF US SITTIN ON TOP OF THE BOMB RACK BLOWIN SMOKE!

david burnett hatcher
. . Contributed By Phil Mosser On Sunday, November 13, 2005
Looking for this old "thud driver", Hope you are well brother.I have one of your "pow/mia" bracelets, wonder if you want it? I have had it since 1972 while I was in USAF.

"The Faces Behind The Names"
. . Contributed By Don Ward On Sunday, November 13, 2005
Please take a look at: www.mpress.addr.com I would like your comments. I completed Volume I in 1996 and Volume II in 2000. Thank you. Don Ward (Navy 1961-1968) Pattaya, Thailand

Indifference
. . Contributed By Tina Millner On Monday, November 14, 2005
IN DIFFERENCE Today I gazed upon the names, I was just one in the throngs of observers Moving silentlyà.not speaking For we walked upon sacred ground. I was raising my babies During this terrible war The news was just words to me I had little ones to care for. I was off to the grocery store They were off to the killing fields. I cuddled my man in the warmth of my bed They cuddled the dirt in the cold of their fox holes. My life was untouched by the Viet Nam War Their lives were taken by the cold hand of death. Not once had I reflected on the loss of their lives ------------------Until Today. Today they became people Who once were and never more to be. The pictures, the flowers, even a pair of boots. What touched me more were the letters of love. Words that were written by those left behind Never to be read, yet they knowàthey know. He knows of his son who was but two When the hate of this world took his father away. I stand before those who had life taken away I bow my head in shame to those I know not. I beg forgiveness from the 58, 220 names on the Wall INDIFFERENCE Words fail me now as I failed them then. I think not that it is now too late To remember the soldier with eight months of service. Never to forget the hero who was on his journey home When a land mine killed him along with his dreams. So far from home our soldiers were Alone in a strange land cloaked with hate. Feeling so scared, so alone among the troops. Yet displaying only courage and a need for survival. No more will I be indifferent Today they became my heroes, my light and my torch. Always to be remembered Always to love. Tina Millner 8/14/99