Weekend with the traveling Vietnam Wall
Posted: September 17, 2017, 6:58 am
The local American Legion post with several donations from local businesses brought the wall here to Newport News.
I spent two 1600-2000 watches at the wall assisting visitors locate names on the wall. I helped over 150 people locate friends, family, war buddies, high school friends, and even people who shared the same last names. I assisted people who didn't even know anyone on the wall.
For a Facebook post I put up, this is it. I spent last night trying to figure out a way to say what I was thinking without being me... a complete in your face no bull shit response.
I've spent almost 19 years in the military and did my fair share of ardious duty. I can't stand people who feel the need to embellish a story.
I spent two 1600-2000 watches at the wall assisting visitors locate names on the wall. I helped over 150 people locate friends, family, war buddies, high school friends, and even people who shared the same last names. I assisted people who didn't even know anyone on the wall.
For a Facebook post I put up, this is it. I spent last night trying to figure out a way to say what I was thinking without being me... a complete in your face no bull shit response.
Only heard one wild and made up story. Guy came in -didn't know any names on the wall but said he was in basic training only two weeks and went straight to Vietnam. Never finished boot or any other training.. two weeks and on a plane to Vietnam. Yeah okay dude... you obviously are sick and want to take away from the real Veterans who went.
Most of the people I helped showed photos of their buddies and them together in their uniforms or High School photos. I helped one guy who had 8 names on the wall in the same line. All were killed in the same firefight in March 1969. We looked up a young Marine who was born in Feb 1956 and was in country only two weeks before being killed in 1975. There was one middle aged man who's dad was killed when he was only 8 months old. A 71 year old grandma who showed me photos of two very young Army soldiers who she was friends with since school. Both killed early in 1966. A man who went to Vietnam with the 1st Cav , lost a good college buddy, but came home to become a physician. Suffered a stroke 6 months after retirement. He was visibly choked up every moment at the wall.
So to the dude with the two week boot camp story... you need to find another host to spread your lies. I can not and will not believe you and I wanted so badly to tell you to drop dead. You've wasted enough oxygen that others didnt get to breath.
When I was a kid, these Veterans were my current age. Now they are grandparents, and even great grandparents. The hour glass just doesn't stop turning.
I've spent almost 19 years in the military and did my fair share of ardious duty. I can't stand people who feel the need to embellish a story.