Went to the traveling wall here in Sacramento, CA about 2 1/2 years ago. Ran away from it the first day, the second day, I walked around it from a far distanace so I couldn't see any names. Third day, a vet from PTSD group was there, he coaxed me into finding some of the names I knew. Started feeling sad by this time, and was getting angry. He asked me about Gary Peterson my buddy so we found his name. I saw his name and started to shake, my vet group buddy told me to touch his name. I reached up and touched his name, I could see Gary's face, I could hear his voice. I swear he was telling me to let him go, and let him rest in peace. I started to cry, but these weren't tears of anger, or hate, the tears felt different, it was like a lifted a ton off my shoulders, and releasing the chokeing around my neck. I wept for about 5 minutes. I finally said good bye to Gary. When Gary was killed, I was on 3 day in country R&R in Vung Tau. When I got back he was gone. I felt so much guilt for not being there for him, I blamed my self for his death. The should of the would of palgued me for a long time. Kept thinking If I was there he wouldn't have died. Then for the longest time I felt he wasn't dead because I didn't see him killed.

Lady Blue and myself saw the Moving Wall up here in Caro, Michigan, too... before I finally got to be at The Wall in DC this year.

There was a goodly small tent museum there in Caro, with artifacts about everything that happened.

Small children were able to put on VN era combat helmets, jackets, bandoliers and hold rifles... to get their photos taken, and to feel of it.

Those were put on them by Vets.

The kids' demeanor changed instantly once they were in the garb.

I watched this, a long time.

The next Wall
 

Something to think about...

Thanksgiving Meal - Deployed troops of 2005
Article Author Karen Jowers
Submitted By Bluehawk
Nov 24, 2005, 10:32

This is from the Army Times.

November 21, 2005

Deployed troops to get Thanksgiving meal

By Karen Jowers
Times staff writer


Nearly 186,000 pounds of turkey, 108,000 pounds of ham, and 82,000 pounds of stuffing mix will be served for Thanksgiving meals for troops in Iraq and Kuwait, according to officials at the Defense Logistics Agency.

That includes 87,456 pounds each of boneless white turkey meat and boneless dark turkey meat; and 11,000 pounds of whole turkeys. Another 12,050 pounds of boneless turkey and 6,032 pounds of whole turkey are on the menu for Afghanistan.
Troops will also get shrimp and beef.
Side dishes will include 2,915 cases of corn on the cob, 11,664 cans each of mashed potatoes and sweet potatoes, and 2,916 cans of cranberry sauce in the Iraq theater. Corn on the cob will not be going to Afghanistan, but the other sides will be on the menu there.
To top things off, 21,204 pies will be served in the Iraq war zone and 10,896 in Afghanistan.
Each year, the Defense Supply Center Philadelphia provides about $12.7 billion worth of food, clothing and textiles, medicines and medical equipment, and general and construction supplies for troops. The supply center is part of the Defense Logistics Agency.
__________________

6+ years ago...
 

We started this thread. Interesting to reflect on it again...

http://www.vvmf.org/index.cfm?SectionID=2

Pleased to see you post again. Gonna hang around?

Glad you're still here, Doc.

This time looks like it will be possible. Chances of constant incoming are much less than before. I took a lot of hits as long as I could, then went on recon.