Posted on Dec 17, 2013
What will be our Vietnam Wall Memorial for OIF/OEF?
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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?
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?
Memorial
Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) - Afghanistan
Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF)
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)
Edited 12 y ago
Posted 12 y ago
Responses: 48
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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.
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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.
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PO1 Rennae Rosenberg
Pvt SanJuana Méndez - Please don't misunderstand me... (I did text of three
different Wall experiences) The Wall in WA,DC is Awesome!!! and the statues near by are definitely worth seeing, too!
It's the Travelling Wall that is Sometimes accompanied/represented with something from other Wars that is a zoo (IMHO). PLEASE do see the WA,DC Wall. It is worth your time! It was created as a slash in the earth (like the dip of a chevron) and walking the length of the monument is a Sacred Experience!
different Wall experiences) The Wall in WA,DC is Awesome!!! and the statues near by are definitely worth seeing, too!
It's the Travelling Wall that is Sometimes accompanied/represented with something from other Wars that is a zoo (IMHO). PLEASE do see the WA,DC Wall. It is worth your time! It was created as a slash in the earth (like the dip of a chevron) and walking the length of the monument is a Sacred Experience!
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Pvt SanJuana Méndez
PO1 Rennae Rosenberg it wz on my itinerary. Wz going looking for late husband's (Vietnam combat vet) records to prove V.A. wz wrong to deny him service connection based on DoD lies but they got Dept of Treasury to plunder my bank acct & close it coz I couldn't prove I wz entitled to call myself his widow by providing his late wife's death certificate. They've left me, soon to be homeless Vietnam era vet, totally penniless, soon to lose all belongings (including brand new unused generator) coz I won't even be able to pay rent on storage units I've been putting our stuff in.
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PO1 Rennae Rosenberg
Pvt SanJuana Méndez - I'm sorry for your loss. Death is a bitch for those left alive! (IMHO) and someties it gets messy, too. It sounds like you are also a Vet. Perhaps you can get your own benefits aligned with your own self? Good luck, whatever you decide to do!
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Pvt SanJuana Méndez
PO1 Rennae Rosenberg, the Corps & DoD hv derailed my aspirations ever since I wz on emergency leave when my mother wz killed while I wz in Boot. It took 28 yrs for me to learn I wz as much a vet as those of u who served ur term(s) out. It's been 20 yrs now & I AM a Marine, whether the Corps likes it or not. I won't go dwn without a fight.
My 1st priority, tho, became my husband when 1st cancer node found, Apr., 2018. He enlisted coz he knew he'd be drafted soon as he turned 18, believing recruiter who said those who volunteered wouldn't be sent to Vietnam.
He wz sent to 'Nam & wz soon captured. He spent 19 months sleeping on rice & eating unseasoned rice (One meal wz treat! Yellow rice instead of white.), breakfast, lunch & dinner. He endured all types of torture, & all they got wz his laugh in their faces. He'd been transported where DoD repeatedly said there wz no military act or occupation. The man who enlisted on Buddy Plan rescued him out of captivity & wz shot dwn as he went to refuel for another POW rescue mission.
My husband, after losing his buddy as he did, wz sent for R&R in Frankfurt GER, where he wz required to sign nondisclosure statement before being discharged. DoD took this as license to doctor hubby's records. Tho hubby served 1972-74 (total), DD-214 indicates he served 1974-76 (wartime/peacetime), fact he wzn't even aware of 'til this time last yr (45 yrs later). POW roster duzn't EVEN list his name.
I know my husband isn't resting easy. He had arranged with a veteran friend for his friend to take care of me in the event of hubby's death. He wanted V.A. to ensure my financial security. Like me, my husband wz Native American (he, Modoc; I, Cherokee). My husband wz unaware friend he'd entrusted my care to had passed away 2 wks before hubby. Way he wz positioned, I believe our friend came to tell hubby he wouldn't be around to carry out hubby's wish. Now, V.A. has derailed his final wish....momentarily.
Tho, V.A. has left me totally penniless as I'm about to become homeless, my survivor benefits will resume once they've exacted their tribute. In the end, THEY will recompense him thru me.
My 1st priority, tho, became my husband when 1st cancer node found, Apr., 2018. He enlisted coz he knew he'd be drafted soon as he turned 18, believing recruiter who said those who volunteered wouldn't be sent to Vietnam.
He wz sent to 'Nam & wz soon captured. He spent 19 months sleeping on rice & eating unseasoned rice (One meal wz treat! Yellow rice instead of white.), breakfast, lunch & dinner. He endured all types of torture, & all they got wz his laugh in their faces. He'd been transported where DoD repeatedly said there wz no military act or occupation. The man who enlisted on Buddy Plan rescued him out of captivity & wz shot dwn as he went to refuel for another POW rescue mission.
My husband, after losing his buddy as he did, wz sent for R&R in Frankfurt GER, where he wz required to sign nondisclosure statement before being discharged. DoD took this as license to doctor hubby's records. Tho hubby served 1972-74 (total), DD-214 indicates he served 1974-76 (wartime/peacetime), fact he wzn't even aware of 'til this time last yr (45 yrs later). POW roster duzn't EVEN list his name.
I know my husband isn't resting easy. He had arranged with a veteran friend for his friend to take care of me in the event of hubby's death. He wanted V.A. to ensure my financial security. Like me, my husband wz Native American (he, Modoc; I, Cherokee). My husband wz unaware friend he'd entrusted my care to had passed away 2 wks before hubby. Way he wz positioned, I believe our friend came to tell hubby he wouldn't be around to carry out hubby's wish. Now, V.A. has derailed his final wish....momentarily.
Tho, V.A. has left me totally penniless as I'm about to become homeless, my survivor benefits will resume once they've exacted their tribute. In the end, THEY will recompense him thru me.
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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.
Thanks All
Ron Lambertson, EM2
Vietnam-January 1967-August 1970.
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PO2 Ron Lambertson
No, I have not attended any Reunions, yet. AND, unfortunately, my collection of pics, items, memorabilia were destroyed by a very angry EX, about 25 years ago. HOWEVER, there are thousands of pics available today online, in videos, etc, and shared so any who care to see them, are able to.
My Best to You & Yours
My Best to You & Yours
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Pvt SanJuana Méndez
Would love to know whom to speak with who might have pix. Husband only found out around this time last yr, 45 yrs later, that his DD-214 had been doctored so it shows he served 1974-76 instead of 1972-74. Nondisclosure statement he signed when discharged seems to have given DoD license to rewrite history. Was suggested he, former POW (19 months of 24 served), present pix taken while there or letters he sent from there.
I know someone somewhere must have or know something that would prove he didn't lie to me for nearly 16 we were together. It's tough coz I don't have him to remind me more than Bravo company @ Ft. Leonard Wood (Lost in the Woods, per him) he was in. Buried him 7 Oct 2019, non-service connected coz V.A. denied service connection based on DoD lies.
I know someone somewhere must have or know something that would prove he didn't lie to me for nearly 16 we were together. It's tough coz I don't have him to remind me more than Bravo company @ Ft. Leonard Wood (Lost in the Woods, per him) he was in. Buried him 7 Oct 2019, non-service connected coz V.A. denied service connection based on DoD lies.
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PO1 Rennae Rosenberg
I read military mags quite thoroughly... In "Miltary Times" there is a section to place a "Find" someone or some location... Also I've seen several websites... many are not cost effective but some place must be able to give the assistance you seek... As for service connected errors and agent orange follow-up... I suggest you contact a Service Officer (find 'em at the American Legion, VFW or thru your state's Veterans Administration) and file a claim to correct the past mistakes (S.O.'s can guide you) ...
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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.
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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
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SP5 Ron Rowland
You are correct, I was at the wall and looked at the deaths from 1965 when I was there.
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SP5 Ron Rowland
Think of the 58,000+ men and women who did not come home, think of all the good they would have done. Sad, very sad.
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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.
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PO2 Ron Lambertson
THE WALL in DC, the way it's structured, the way it rises up from the ground, that whole area is extremely special, with impactful meanings for all of us who were there. The TRAVELING WALLS are special in their own right. They are not the same, but uniquely & meaningful. They give back to us all a little of what we all lost. WAR is the absolute worst way to solve a problem of all the other choices. There are no winners. EVER.
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Love to see the traveling wall, since I can not see the real, I cannot travel.
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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
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PO1 Rennae Rosenberg
I agree with you, Sgt Bill, the Viet Nam time was really a separate world and time from what has happened since then.
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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
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PO1 Rennae Rosenberg
I took a Marine (who served in the worse of VN time) to Moses Lake, WA to see the Wall when it was there... He didn't realize how many of his buddies that were wounded had died until we checked dates and names on that Wall... I still regret having talked him into going...
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PO2 Ron Lambertson
Rennae, I promise you, you did more for that Vet than even he may realize. Until we start to face those demons that haunt anyone who has served in combat, those unresolved issues will, at some point, wreak havoc on our piece of mind. At least, that is my experience both personal & of friends. It was this Marine's choice, ultimately. He knowing or not knowing what happened to people he once knew will not change what happen to those people. You did a good thing Petty Officer, "SALUTE".
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