I had the privilege of watching that Tomb of the unknown Soldier ceremony this past Thanksgiving. I am in awe.
Also long overdue was the visit to the Vietnam Wall. My best High School friend is on there , Paul D Kreger, Panel 02W Line 108. 1ST BN, 7TH CAV RGT, 1 CAV DIV. KIA Feb 1972. I had only found out a few days before he was KIA that he was even in country as I was. But I was too late to make arrangements to see him
He was one year behind me in school. He wasn't supposed to be there. He was supposed to have graduated and had a college scholarship for baseball. But he stayed late the day before graduation to take an English test, and missed the test by one point. ONE POINT, therefore he didn't graduate!
Oh I visit his grave in my old home town on his birthday in April, but had yet to visit the Wall..
Nothing can prepare you for the emotions that come up at the Wall. There is so much energy there, from those that are there from when you are, the ones that have visited in the past, and the names; almost live spirits that are on the wall..
So I guess I have to say that the "wall" is not in terms of "favorite" But my most important to me. For my friend to be remembered of the ultimate sacrifice he made. Sadly, we do not know the name (S) of the Unknown Soldier and I totally respect the care in preserving the honoring of the soldiers known only to God.
I am glad I got to take my father there MSgt (Join to see). It is something I will not forget. Hooah!
Here is a poem I came across during my 08-09 Deployment. I hope it has the same effect on you all as it does me.
"The Soldier who Rode One In"
-We should all bear one thing in mind when we talk about a Soldier who "rode one in",
He called upon the sum of all his knowledge and made a judgement. He
believed in it so strongly that he knowingly bet his life on it.
That he was mistaken in his judgement is a tragedy, not stupidity.
Every supervisor and contemporary who ever spoke to him had an
opportunity to influence his judgement, so a little bit of all of us
goes in with every troop we lose.
--UNK
SFC Boyer, this is a truly inspirational memorial, I was privileged to have been reenlisted at the Marine Corps War Memorial and to be a part of a command that hosted one of the Sunset Parades, great experiences at an amazing memorial... you must have strong and fond memories of your grandfather when you see this memorial or images from Iwo Jima. Great post, thanks for sharing your story with us all! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bj8nrEW7Oag
SSG Broadbent, thanks for sharing your thoughts and amazing story; you're right, it really does look like the bottom portion of the St. Louis Arch, very interesting indeed... thanks again for sharing!
http://www.criticalpast.com/video/ [login to see] 1_Berlin-Airlift-Memorial_DC-6_Tempelhof-airport_deserted-runway
SFC Hutchinson, great choice and excellent point! You know, I hadn't really considered how this memorial interacts with the elements, it is absolutely striking under different lighting and atmospheric conditions... thanks again for sharing!
http://www.nps.gov/kowa/index.htm
http://www.koreanwarvetsmemorial.org/