"My fellow citizens:
It was not a journalist who gave us
freedom of the press;
it was a soldier.
It was not university student demonstrators
who gave us the freedom to protest;
it was a soldier.
The soldier saluted and respected our flag;
the same flag covered the
soldier's coffin....
Demonstrators assemble, protest and burn
that same flag,
thanks to a soldier."
(Charles M. Province)
NOTE: This passage was sent to me by a Navy Veteran on
Memorial Day. His father was a foot soldier in the trenches of
France and Germany in World War I. He also had three brothers
who went into the Navy; two during WWII, and the third went in during
Korea. He went into the Navy after his college graduation and
served two tours of duty in Vietnam.
--The Vietnam Wall Experience 2000--
April 2000
In April, I took my young sons, ages 8 and 11, to see the Vietnam Veterans
Memorial replica that was traveling through Texas. I had previously
visited one of The Wall replicas a few years back on the grounds of the
Texas State Capitol in Austin, Texas. As I had done before, I took my
POW/MIA bracelet that I had worn in high school. Again, I found
the name of the young Naval pilot who had been a MIA and whose
remains were later found and sent home. His name is one of the last ones
etched into The Wall. My sons listened as I read his name.
The tears emerged from my eyes just as they did years ago. I had
brought a tiny red rose for him and laid it below his name. I have often
thought of him and wondered where his family may be now.
He was so young....so very young.
~Deanie~
Etched in Stone...
Vincent Duncan Monroe
5-18-1968
~New Jersey~ ~Born 7-1-34~
CDR Navy
This is a passage that was printed in the booklet
"The Vietnam Wall Experience 2000'
In honor of members of my family who served their country...
~Deanie~
Milton Hagan-Navy--Vietnam era
Grover Cleveland Hellums-Infantryman--WWI--killed in action-France in October 1918
Alan Kruemmer-Army--Vietnam
Joseph Kruemmer--Navy--Korean War
Edward Hammond Kruemmer-Air Force--Korean War
Grover Christifer Stephens-Army-Medical Corps--WWII--wounded in Italy
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Updated: 4-11-2009