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FROM THE OTHER SIDE | |
| At first there was no place for us to go until someone
put up that black granite wall. Now, every day and night, my brothers and sisters wait to see the many people from places afar who file in front of this wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some who come on regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes toward that war in which we were involved have changed. I can only pray that the ones on the other side have learned something and more walls, as this one, need not be built. Several members of my unit and many whom I did not recognize have called me to the wall by touching my name, which is engraved on 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 the memories that we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only the plesant times that we had together. Tell our other brothers out there to come and visit me, not to say goodbye but to say hello and to be together again, even if only for a short time and to ease the pain of loss that we all share. Today as irresistible and loving call comes from the wall. As I approach, I can see an elderly lady and as she gets 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 she 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 thirty years past! There is a young man in a military uniform standing with his arm around her.... Oh my, it has to be my son. Look at him trying to be a man without a tear in his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am seeing him standing straight and tall and proud in his uniform. Momma comes closer and touches the wall and I feel the soft and gentle touch that I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of the wall and through our touch, I try and convey to her that Dad is 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 upon my wanting hand. All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her that it is all right. Carry on with your life and do not worry about me. I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and understands me and a heavy burden has been lifted from her. I watch as they lay flowers and other memorabilia of my past. My lucky charm was taken from me and sent to her by me C. O., a tattered and worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a child and also several medals that I had earned and which were presented to my wife. One of them is a Combat Infantry Badge that I am proud of and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I earned mine in the jungles of Vietnam and he probably earned his in the deserts of Iraq. I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to make 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 I 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 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 love that I have for him. He falls to his knees and tears flow from his eyes and I try my best to reassure him that it is all right and that 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 meantime, go on your way. There is no hurry-- at all. As I see them walking off in the distance, I yell out to them and to everyone there today, as loudly as I can, "Thanks for remembering" and as others on this side of the wall join in, I notice the American Flag that so proudly flies in front of us each day is flapping and standing proudly straight out in the wind today.
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Author Unknown |
