What will be our Vietnam Wall Memorial for OIF/OEF?

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 16:37:59 -0500

I love the wall in DC. Feels like you are walking on holy ground. I have seen numerous make shift, temporary, unit or event specific memorials for our fallen in these two wars. Is there a project in the making for a more permanent, all inclusive design
What would you like to see? A wall or something else?
I'd love to see some brainstorming and maybe even some personal stories on here from those who have lost a friend/family member to these wars.
Also should it be a combined memorial or one for each war?

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 5:05 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 17:05:27 -0500

There should be two memorials but they should be co-located. I think they should also be in D.C.  Not sure what it should be but I'd leave the wall for Vietnam and come up with something else. 

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 17 at 2013 6:55 PM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 18:55:14 -0500

Have you seen the hanging dog tags memorial?  It's pretty awesome.<div> </div>

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 17 at 2013 10:17 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Tue, 17 Dec 2013 22:17:09 -0500

I think something with a similar concept as the Korean War Memorial would be nice.  Something that reflected the modern soldier.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 18 at 2013 10:34 AM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 10:34:22 -0500

Is there room in DC for any more memorials???

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2013 11:34 AM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 11:34:41 -0500

I haven't seen anything in the works for OIF/OEF yet but it is definitely coming. I've visited all of the memorials in DC mutliple times and I am always struck by what the design and execution of each says about the conflict and the general populations views. World War I Memorial - only for DC area WW I vets and, up until only a couple of years ago, abandoned and forgotten in a corner of the Mall. World War II Memorial - big, loud, and ostentatious . . . it screams "We kicked a**!" Korean War Memorial - a little bit somber bur forceful . . . it says "we did something important and necessary but it wasn't easy." Vietnam Wall - heart wrenching . . . "we failed in our objective but it was not through any fault of those who served and made the ultimate sacrifice." OIF/EOF Memorial?  I think it is still too soon to tell.  The public has been overwhelmingly supportive of the soldier/marine/sailor/airmen while often being very critical of the government for our involvelment.  It will be interesting to see what the final product says about 'our war'.

Response by SSG Robert Burns made Dec 18 at 2013 12:21 PM

SSG Robert Burns — Wed, 18 Dec 2013 12:21:03 -0500

I think the problem with calling in a GWOT memorial is I dont think that war will ever end.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 11:48 AM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 08 May 2014 11:48:05 -0400

I think if we preserved some of the really well done t-barriers in Iraq for the OIF portion would be awesome. Never deployed to Afghanistan, so I'll defer my opinion on that side.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 25 at 2014 2:30 AM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 25 Oct 2014 02:30:48 -0400

The Engineer Regiment has a permanent memorial for all the fallen Engineers from both wars. It's right next to the Engineer Museum on Ft. Leonard Wood.

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Oct 30 at 2014 3:33 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:33:01 -0400

This week the 101st placed a donated combat boot for every service member, regardless of service or unit killed since September 11th on the lawn of division headquarters in the dated order of ultimate sacrifice. I went through the formation of more than 8000 boots and found many aviator friends who I personally served next to who sacrificed. I gave each of them a few moments of my time and prayer and after a couple of hours was able to leave with fond memories of each of them.

This Saturday at Fort Campbell, beginning at 0830, there will be a 5k walk/run where all 8000 plus boots are repositioned along the entire route of the run to honor and memorialize these fine Americans. It is temporary, but a huge service of honor these folks have put on. Each boot has a flag, photo, name, service and date of sacrifice and location. Some have been visited and left with writings on the boots and gifts. An amazing feat.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 30 at 2014 3:37 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 30 Oct 2014 15:37:36 -0400

SSG Robert Burns there already is a memorial wall, which is dedicated to all Middle East conflicts. See the link below.

http://www.middleeastconflictswallmemorial.us/

Response by SSG Carlos Madden made Nov 11 at 2015 8:05 PM

SSG Carlos Madden — Wed, 11 Nov 2015 20:05:08 -0500

Good update to this discussion:

Memorial for Afghanistan, Iraq troops gets more support

They want to give veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan a place where they can reflect on war’s wounds — seen and unseen — reunite with battle buddies; it would be a physical testament to their legacy.

Response by SPC Sidney Cavanaugh made Jan 22 at 2020 8:18 PM

SPC Sidney Cavanaugh — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:18:16 -0500

i cried like a baby just as i did shooting my m60

Response by SSG William Kessinger made Jan 22 at 2020 8:39 PM

SSG William Kessinger — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:39:55 -0500

I would like to see the traveling wall for Vietnam veterans, I would like to see other walls but they should be separate. Being a Vietnam Veteran combat wounded in 69 I lost several comrades and friends .
SSG, William Kessinger

Response by Sgt Glenn Drosche made Jan 22 at 2020 8:42 PM

Sgt Glenn Drosche — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:42:31 -0500

My Best Friend was wounded and passed away in Vietnam I love that guy I went to the wall in Washington DC to pay my Respects to him and all that gave their lives to fight for their Country. God Bless those guys Love You All

Response by Sgt Bill Braman made Jan 22 at 2020 8:48 PM

Sgt Bill Braman — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:48:44 -0500

Went to the mall in D.C. in 2013, saw the Washington, Lincoln, WW2 memorials and the Vietnam Wall but what really touched me was the statue of the 3 at the Wall availed the 1000 yard stare, if a memorial is to be made for the never ending waste of life in the Mideast I believe it should be unique as are the others representing the different wars and conflicts

Response by TSgt Jeremy Soltys made Jan 22 at 2020 8:54 PM

TSgt Jeremy Soltys — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:54:21 -0500

Hopefully a wall of the names of the neocons who were responsible, with a guillotine next to it. A working one.

Response by SSG George Larranaga made Jan 22 at 2020 8:56 PM

SSG George Larranaga — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 20:56:14 -0500

Love to see the traveling wall, since I can not see the real, I cannot travel.

Response by SSG Larry Smith made Jan 22 at 2020 9:17 PM

SSG Larry Smith — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:17:49 -0500

very touching our warWE WON..........................................

Response by SPC Patrick DiStaso made Jan 22 at 2020 9:18 PM

SPC Patrick DiStaso — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:18:25 -0500

I visited the wall in DC I felt like I was walking on hallowed ground. A couple of years ago they came to Punta Gorda Fl, with the wall it wasn’t the same but I had to see it.

Response by SP5 Ron Rowland made Jan 22 at 2020 9:27 PM

SP5 Ron Rowland — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:27:14 -0500

I love the wall also but with mixed feeling. When I was giving a speech at the Pentagon many years ago, I finally got the nerve to visit the wall. I did something so unusual that I still cannot believe it. My last name is Rowland, I went right to the “R” section and looked for my name! Thinking my life was a dream and I was killed over there. Strange, very strange. Ron

Response by PFC Bryan Knight made Jan 22 at 2020 9:29 PM

PFC Bryan Knight — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:29:51 -0500

middle east conflicts memorial wall. 229 main street Marseilles il. you can find it on facebook.. or just google it.

Response by Pvt SanJuana Méndez made Jan 22 at 2020 9:36 PM

Pvt SanJuana Méndez — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:36:26 -0500

There's memorial for every actual war our country has participated in, more recently, Korean War. Since Civil War, until selective service became obsolete, our men had no choice as to whether they should enlist, yet so many more did rather than go to prison or flee to another country. Those brave souls deserve something to show their patriotism. Not aware when selective service ceased to be, but we owe it to those who served even though they didn't have to to honor period in which they served.

Response by SSgt Kurt Ohlrich made Jan 22 at 2020 9:45 PM

SSgt Kurt Ohlrich — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:45:22 -0500

I remember watching the dedication on the wall on TV. I cried for about three hours and have never had any TPSD problems since. I had survival guilt syndrome and I was able to dismiss it. There is no rhythm or reason for the choice and I finally accepted that. I have been to "The Wall" several times (my wife and son let me be alone the first time) and each time has been awesome. The visiting wall is good if you haven't got to go to D.C.

Response by PO2 Ron Lambertson made Jan 22 at 2020 9:50 PM

PO2 Ron Lambertson — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:50:15 -0500

Two things I'd like to see; 1. is a collection of photo's. We who served in Nam are getting old and many of those photo's, letters, memorabilia will or does not have the same value to our kids or other family members as they do to us. I know things left at THE WALL are collected & saved, but those items, photos, letters, that are setting in a box in a room somewhere NEED TO BE MEMORIALIZED. LET'S DO THIS PEOPLE. We deserve it, our sisters & brothers deserve it, History demands it.......
Thanks All
Ron Lambertson, EM2
Vietnam-January 1967-August 1970.

Response by PO1 Rennae Rosenberg made Jan 22 at 2020 9:54 PM

PO1 Rennae Rosenberg — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:54:05 -0500

I worked at WA,DC's Navy's offices northwest of the Viet Nam War Memorial in the '80's ... and after my 20 years Navy time, I retired on the USS Missouri in Pearl Harbor in April 1999. That Memorial Day weekend the travelling Wall came to the AZ Memorial Grounds. I participated as one of the night shift folks that were there for visitors (because it was available 24 hours daily). Since then, I have seen the Wall several times across America; and now it has become something of a carnival scene. (IMHO) Hawkers selling tee shirts, name tags made while you wait, post cards, etc!!! Plus also on display were pieces and parts of our wars/skirmishes/events since Viet Nam time. I won't attend again.

Response by PO3 Ronald Haynes made Jan 22 at 2020 9:59 PM

PO3 Ronald Haynes — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 21:59:31 -0500

I have seen both the traveling wall and the one in Washington DC. Both are very impressive to me, but as a Vienam Vet the one in DC took me many minutes to walk down to the wall. Their are people I know from Kansas. I am very proud to have a wall located in Junction City Kansas.

Response by SGT Aaron Cordial made Jan 22 at 2020 10:16 PM

SGT Aaron Cordial — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:16:11 -0500

I would love to see huge american flag with names of all those who have died engraved underneath it.

Response by SSG Ted Seal made Jan 22 at 2020 10:26 PM

SSG Ted Seal — Wed, 22 Jan 2020 22:26:04 -0500

Having visited the wall in Washington does in fact feel like it's hallowed ground, very emotional seeing Brothers name's, those know, and unknown is difficult, so I reflect on the times of cursing, and laughing. Since that time I've been blessed with two magnificent children, however since they are both special needs children, the possibility of seeing the Vietnam Memorial in DC is a long shot at best, so the traveling Wall provides the opportunity to have them see the names of those who gave their final full measure, and this is my way of sharing their lives, and not just a name on a Wall. Simply my opinion.

Response by PO1 Kevin Dougherty made Jan 23 at 2020 12:08 AM

PO1 Kevin Dougherty — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 00:08:53 -0500

MY two cents as a Vietnam Era vet. In a very real sense OIF/OEF are not over. Combat forces are still in theater, still fighting. Even when they finally all come home, the conflict that are a part of is likely to remain very much ongoing. Regardless, it will take some years before we have the proper perspective. None of the newer ones were established quickly. Korea was authorized in 1986 with ground broken in 1992. WWII was not opened until 2004, and Vietnam a relatively short 17 years opening in 1982.

Response by Laura Soravilla made Jan 23 at 2020 1:28 AM

Laura Soravilla — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 01:28:38 -0500

What about agent orange spouses who have passed ? They died from being in the war also!

Response by CDR Eben Hedman made Jan 23 at 2020 2:16 AM

CDR Eben Hedman — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 02:16:44 -0500

I believe that our fallen should be recognized and memorialized in public places. If combined, then there should be separate sections representing different conflicts.

Response by SGT Richard Midgett made Jan 23 at 2020 5:35 AM

SGT Richard Midgett — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 05:35:10 -0500

No it should NEVER BE COMBINED...
2 wars 2 DIFFERENT AMERICAN HOMECOMING RESPONSES...
VIETNAM VETERANS WERE TREATED LIKE THEY DIDN'T BELONG HERE..
OEF... BIG ASS PARADE...
TOO MUCH DIFFERENCE TO BE COMBINED..

Response by AN Angelo Petro made Jan 23 at 2020 9:22 AM

AN Angelo Petro — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:22:45 -0500

When will it be in the Washington, D.C. area?

Response by CPL Bruce Fitzwater made Jan 23 at 2020 9:40 AM

CPL Bruce Fitzwater — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 09:40:07 -0500

I have not visited the Wall yet. I can't get up the courage to go. Don't do anything to change what the Wall is for! Leave it alone and let the Fallen rest in peace!

Response by Cpl Adrian Grass made Jan 23 at 2020 10:19 AM

Cpl Adrian Grass — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 10:19:30 -0500

I would like to see the original WALL, And the traveling as well! I know I'm asking too much for some upgrade on a few items. I really would like to be able to push a button to hi-lite A individual's name , whole units . Platoons , specific dates , area of deployment! Personally I want to find out certain information about unit members who were deployed when I was, I forgot too many details about events dates , area of events that cost me my hearing and lose of men I fought along side.

Response by SP5 Ron Crawford made Jan 23 at 2020 11:16 AM

SP5 Ron Crawford — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:16:30 -0500

The wall is good and I think it should only be for Vietnam. The others should have something else of their own so as they do not get muddled together. There should also be something to show that Jane Fonda was a traitor, as that is slowly disappearing with the dying Vets.

Response by CN Mudman Johnson made Jan 23 at 2020 11:29 AM

CN Mudman Johnson — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 11:29:21 -0500

Ritual is the healing with sacred intent makes all of our actions sacred; when I lead a ritual to welcome back Vietnam veterans home, there wasn't a dry eye in the the room.and asked all veterans to wash their hands of the blood of war, Gordon had his first full night of sleep since the war and started a healing in his own life which lead to this poem (which has healed so many that I shared it with) in my own world for creating World Peace by 2025 (I need help) collaboration and healing the wounds of war and practising World Peace in our lives especially at this time in History to create a morality that we can all believe which will give us meaning in our lives.I forgot what the question was but although he died a few years ago,This is Gordons way to heal from war;

Lunch

He came to lunch with me today the Vietnamese boy
sat at the table on my left, as he always does
and my hand trembled as I tried to eat

I've never known his name odd, because
he's been around so long-twenty-four years
on the edges of my dreams,twenty-four years
a silent presence haunting the sleepless
early-morning hours that sometimes snatch me still
too-easily alarmed from sleep.

Fourteen years, maybe fifteen, (hard to tell with all the blood),
beatified with fierce pride of new manhood,
childhood innocence burnished by war
to a hard metallic sheen.
I've come to love him, this boy so like myself,
but still my hand trembled as I raised my cup to drink.
He didn't eat,(he never does)

Just watched me (as he always does)
never speaking, watched me
silent through his pain.

Silent since that dark and early-morning hour
twenty-four years ago, jungle-dark and early-morning hour
when he cried out in warning to his brothers
as we lay tense and trembling, he and I,
trapped in bloody embrace in the fear-kissed dark
of the killing field, cries out again in warning and in pain
as I put one hand over the hole in his gut to stop the blood,
one over his mouth to stop the cries.
He writhes, twisting from my touch, thrashes in shadow
as I reach again to silence his cries, our tortured dance
masking sounds of his brothers' advance,
painting us as targets in the dark—

And the hiss-whispered order flung with desperate urgency
from the darkness on my right: "Cut that slope’s throat!
Now!"
Shadow-fractured moonlight flows the cutting edge of knife I draw with bloody hand. “Please,” I whisper, “Don't”
lift my hand (“Please!”) from his lips
(“Please don’t!”) cries erupt anew
and I raise the blade and choose --

He's never cried out since,
nor laughed, this beautiful man-child warrior.
He simply watches me, like at lunch,
trying to talk, to chew, to swallow.
No longer seeking escape.
Trying only to control the trembling--

He came to lunch with me today,
and I don't mind so much any more.
Still,I wish I knew his name
so I could set him free--
You see you cannot kill someone
without becoming jailer to his soul.

Gordon Mustain

Response by 1LT Allen Hahn made Jan 23 at 2020 12:00 PM

1LT Allen Hahn — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 12:00:13 -0500

I feel that they should be separated. Each memorial reminds us of the many differences in each action. All those who served should be acknowledged for their duty in a way unique to that war.

Response by Maj Gordon Squires made Jan 23 at 2020 12:43 PM

Maj Gordon Squires — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 12:43:32 -0500

One for each war. They wii have to find more space. How about getting rid of a few government buildings and building the memorials in their place? After all, they financed and went along with the wars.

Response by Cpl Coy Williams made Jan 23 at 2020 12:59 PM

Cpl Coy Williams — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 12:59:12 -0500

Outstanding idea! Like grains of sand...

Response by PO3 Tom Graham made Jan 23 at 2020 5:04 PM

PO3 Tom Graham — Thu, 23 Jan 2020 17:04:03 -0500

ONE Wall, as is don't do a thing to change it... Leave it alone!!!! A memorial is a memorial - not subject to change when a whim occurs...

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Jan 24 at 2020 10:25 AM

SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 10:25:59 -0500

The wall should be tasteful and honor those that served in this conflict/war.

Response by SPC Melanie Vancegonzalez made Jan 24 at 2020 2:37 PM

SPC Melanie Vancegonzalez — Fri, 24 Jan 2020 14:37:22 -0500

4th ID made a statue from one of Saddam's statues when the Iraqi's pulled it down after we captured him. I took the first picture in Saddam's palace in Tikrit when 4th ID was there in 03-04. I took the second picture when it was brought home to Fort Hood. I believe they took it to Colorado when the division was moved to Fort Carson.

Response by HA Philip Arena made Jan 26 at 2020 5:27 PM

HA Philip Arena — Sun, 26 Jan 2020 17:27:12 -0500

Combined memorial

Response by SGT Lester Colbert made Jan 27 at 2020 8:15 PM

SGT Lester Colbert — Mon, 27 Jan 2020 20:15:01 -0500

IIhave not seen the wall but would like to see it

Response by Sgt Lynn Davis made Apr 18 at 2020 7:42 PM

Sgt Lynn Davis — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 19:42:46 -0400

OEF and OIF need their own holy ground. It should be separate from the wall but equally as important. Those were separate wars fought at different times just as Vietnam was separate and different from WWII. Inclusion is not a proper service to be considered. It wasn't done before so why should it be done now?

Response by SSgt Christophe Murphy made Apr 18 at 2020 7:50 PM

SSgt Christophe Murphy — Sat, 18 Apr 2020 19:50:10 -0400

No idea. The Desert Storm Memorial isn’t even complete or open yet so who knows when we will see one for GWOT era.

It’ll be another 10-15 years before I expect anything serious to be decided on.

Response by SP5 Victor Orozco made May 23 at 2020 1:35 AM

SP5 Victor Orozco — Sat, 23 May 2020 01:35:12 -0400

A separate wall!