Introduction

If you've ever seen the painting "Reflections" of the
Vietnam Wall in Washington, you've seen the man standing
there with his hand on the wall, mourning his dead father or
brother who was killed. What he doesn't see is the
reflection from the other side showing that relative with
HIS hand on the wall, touching the hand of his survivor.
That painting inspired this story.

"There are so many things that are written about the Wall
but never anything of being on the other side. I was
inspired by the picture Reflections that I use as wallpaper
on my PC and a recent story, Autumn Wall."

At first there was no place for us to go until someone put
up that Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my
Brothers and my Sisters wait to see the many people from
places afar file in front of this Wall. Many stopping
briefly and many for hours and some that come on a regular
basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any
easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that
war that we were involved in have changed. I can only say
that the ones on the other side have learned something and
more Walls as this one needn't be built.

Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize
have called me to the Wall by touching my name that is
engraved upon it. The tears aren't necessary but are hard
even for me to hold back. Don't feel guilty for not being
with me, my Brothers. This was my destiny as it is yours, to
be on that side of the Wall.

Touch the Wall, my Brothers, so that we can share in the
memories that we had.

I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember
only the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our
other Brothers out here to come and visit me, not to say
Good Bye but to say Hello and be together again, even for a
short time and to ease that pain of loss that we all share.

Today, an irresistible and loving call comes from the Wall.
As I approach I can see an elderly lady and as I get closer
I recognize her.....It's Momma! As much as I have looked
forward to this day, I have also regretted it because I
didn't know what reaction I would have.

Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think
how hard it must of been for her to come to this place and
my mind floods with the pleasant memories of 30 years past.
There's a young man in a military uniform standing with his
arm around her......My God!......It's...it has to be my
son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in
his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him
standing tall, straight and proud in his uniform.

Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft
and gentle touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has
crossed to this side of the Wall and through our touch, I
try to convey to her that Dad is doing fine and is no longer
suffering or feeling pain. I see my wife's courage building
as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches and lays
her hand on my waiting hand.

All the emotions, feelings and memories of three decades
past flash between our touch and I tell her that it's all
right. Carry on with your life and don't worry about
me......I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and
understands me and a big burden has been lifted from her.

I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past.
My lucky charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my
CO, a tattered and worn teddy bear hat I can barely remember
having as I grew up as a child and several medals that had
earned and were presented to my wife. One of them is the
Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of and I notice
that my son is also wearing this medal. I had earned mine
in the jungles of Vietnam and he had probably earned his in
the deserts of Iraq.

I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to
take a mental picture of them together, because I don't know
when I will see them again. I wouldn't blame them if they
were not to return and can only thank them that I was not
forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall for one final
touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow are
let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears, that had not
flowed for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other
side of the Wall.

They slowly move away with only a glance over their
shoulder. My son suddenly stops and slowly returns. He
stands straight and proud in front of me and snaps a salute.
  Something makes him move to the Wall and he puts his hand
upon the Wall and touches my tears that had formed on the
face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my presence
there and the pride and the love that I have for him. He
falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I
try my best to reassure him that it's all right and the
tears do not make him any less of a man.

As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes, he silently
mouths, God Bless you, Dad... God Bless, YOU, Son... We
WILL meet someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way...
There is no hurry...There is no hurry at all.

As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell out to THEM
and EVERYONE there today, as loud as I can ......THANKS FOR
REMEMBERING and as others on this side of the Wall join in,
I notice that the US Flag that so proudly flies in front of
us everyday, is flapping and standing proudly straight out
in the wind today............THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING