The Wall

Two words, that is all it takes and you know exactly what the person is talking about: "The Wall"

Billy and I have been blessed to be raised in families who have instilled in us a sense of patriotism and love for this country. In addition to grandfathers, great-grandfathers, even great-great grandfathers, uncles, cousins, and friends, we have the privilege of being the children of veterans. My Dad was a Marine in WWII and Billy's Dad was in the army during Vietnam. The wars were different but their stories and love of the United States were exactly the same. They both were proud of their service, eager to share their experiences but quick to tell us we had no idea what it was like. They both shed tears in front of us as they recalled friends and family who were lost, and they both left this world in flag draped caskets and to the sound of taps and gunfire.

Billy learned several months ago that the traveling Vietnam Memorial was coming to Springville. We waited and tried not to forget until we found the date. Billy's Dad had talked about visiting the wall with Jo, Uncle Don and Aunt Susan. It is a place that Billy and I dream of going some day, to Washington DC to see the military sites. Brady talked of how it felt to him and how he left his hat from Vietnam at the wall in honor of those who had lost their lives. So out of honor for Brady and those who have served, and knowing it would affect us as well, we planned a visit to the Springville Cemetery to see the traveling Vietnam Wall.

Shay wanted to go with us so on the way there we talked to her about Gramps, Papa, and what the wall meant. Of course Shay could understand as much as a 6 year old could but she knew it was important. I told her of a man from Bluffdale who was my friend's uncle who had died in Vietnam and how my grandma would tell us about it every Memorial Day. We hoped to find his name, Raymond Moon to give Shay something to look for and understand.

We arrived and walked over to the wall. There were several people there. All I can say is the feeling was almost overwhelming from the start. We found where Raymond's name would be and started walking. We walked and walked, looking at name after name and again it was just overwhelming. You thought of their stories and how it seemed to go forever. I think one of the saddest things was to get to where the war was almost over, that year, and see name after name. You couldn't help but think "you almost made it." We found Raymond's name and copied it for his family. I think that is when it sunk in for Shay, I know it did for me. It was sacred ground and there was a reverence about it. It was just the replica but we all felt it: the sadness, the power and honor, the cost of war. I guess that is what I would say about it. You hear the stories, see the tears, feel the pride but all those names - you just get the cost of war and the price of freedom.

Billy took time to reflect, I know thinking of his dad. We then went over to the statues in the cemetery in honor of the branches of the military and talked to Shay about it. We explained which statue represented Gramps and Papa. She remembered how Papa's name is also on a wall in the Ephraim Cemetery honoring all veterans buried there.

We left, feeling again the sense of Patriotism that our Dad's had instilled in us and grateful for our Dads service. We were also grateful for those who made it possible for the traveling wall to be so close. Even now writing about it, there is such a sense of reverence. This was an amazing experience.