Friday, April 04, 2008
The Wall
I just returned home from a field trip with my 2nd grader. It was a trip to the "American Veterans Traveling Tribute". It was a replica of the Vietnam Memorial Wall. It was a interesting morning. Looking at that wall with the thousands of names, seeing the tributes that people had places on the ground in front of the section of the wall that contained the name of their loved one, filled my heart. I began to think how very grateful I am for having the opportunity to live in this country, where my children are able to get an education - one that I still have a say in; a country where I am able to worship as I wish; where it is safe for me to walk down the street; where I can raise my children the way I want them raised; what a wonderful country we live in. And how grateful I am to those men and women who are willing to work to keep our country free. After we looked at the wall, and at the display of dog tags for all those who died in Desert Storm, 9-11, and in Iraq. The last dog tag was added on March 14, 2008. That isn't very long ago. How lucky I feel to have all of those who I love that have had to serve over there come home safe, yet how sad I feel for those families who have lost someone. My nephew returned from Iraq last week and came by with his wife to visit before heading to South Carolina where they will now be stationed. As I watched them together and how much they are in love, I was so grateful he is home safe. He was deployed 3 days after they were married and they have been apart for the last 7 months. We are grateful he is home and safe for now. As I think about other family members who have served and how different our lives would be if they had not returned home safe. Grandpa Carter and my Father-in-law both served in World War 2, my life would be so different if they had not been protected. I feel so very blessed. As I walked with the class I talked to a little girl whose father is currently in Iraq as a medic, this is a man who was in my Primary class many years ago when he was a young boy. His daughter was proud of the work that he is doing, and I felt proud with her. And as we have other family members go out and fight in this war, and in others that will come around in the future we will continue to pray for them all, and hope that they will be blessed. And I pray that I can live in a way to show appreciation for the family that we have, and those in my family who are willing to work and fight to keep me safe.
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4 comments:
When I was younger I was able to see the wall, in DC. I was in the teenage ennui thing, and it STILL hit me like a ton of bricks that those are people, who died in a war. It was so beautiful, so reflective. I could have stayed for hours looking at it.
Contemplating life.
Now, with Will deploying this summer, it has more meaning. Those men who died, were sons, brothers, fathers, friends. Just thinking about it hits me deep inside and I am thankful that Ender made it home, and prayerful that Will will make it home.
Hey Penny! That sounds like a good time- I wish I had been able to see the wall while it was here. Chandler sure does miss the play! Next time- I promised him. We are hoping to move to Central soon. So next time, driving won't be such an issue! It was also so good to see you in the Temple last week! See ya! Rochelle
Those who served in Vietnam were sure not appreciated at the time they returned home. However, several years ago, I was talking to a client in Canada - he had a bit of an accent so I asked him where he was from - he said Vietnam. I took a risk and said "my husband was over there for about a year in the early 70's". He replied, "I have never had the opportunity to talk to any American who came to Vietnam. Please tell your husband thank you for me."
A few years ago we went to a training in Washington D.C. We were able to go to wall. It is a solemn place. We also got to tour other monuments and the holocast museum. Each place was such a stark reminder of all we have in this country. We take our freedom too much for granted. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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