Vietnam Memorial

[No Worries]

Have you ever seen the original Vietnam Memorial in Washington, next to the Lincoln Memorial? I saw it once and it is very impressive. There are several traveling "Walls", and one came to the Denver area this weekend. It is half the size of the original. Here's a photo of me next to the Wall. I'm holding my photo album of Vietnam.


My friend Pete and I were drafted together, and we went to boot camp and tank training together. We used to talk about the cars and motorcycles we wanted. Pete wanted a Harley Sportster and I wanted a Norton Commando. We went to Nam together, but I went to a Mechanized Infantry unit, while Pete went to a Calvary unit. Peter Auletti was killed in July, 1970.


At the original Wall, Pete's name is near the center where the wall is 12-feet-high. I had to use a ladder to get a rubbing of his name. This traveling wall is 6-feet-high, but still significant.

[Gas Man]

I have been to the original, I haven't seen the traveling wall. I have been to the original twice along with the tomb of the unknown soldier for the changing of the gaurd. Washington DC for all its greatness is pretty sweet. The fore fathers knew how to build a city to impress and intimdate.

That is a really nice story about Pete, NW. For your generation the wall has alot more sentimental meaning. To me, its just the great respect I have for all of our military people and its vets. The sacrifices that they all make for our freedom and the rights of not only us but others throughout the world.

[R1up0n1]

I've been to the original wall in Washington DC.

[rider76]

I have never been to the original wall in D.C. last year the traveling wall came to the ST Louis area, and I went to see it. They set it up in a city park and sold items to help support the wall. In a smaller glass case they had the names of service members killed in Iraq and Afganistan... found the names of 5 of my friends..

the old saying really is true No Worries....

For those who have fought for it freedom has a flavor the protected will never know

[pickle.of.doom]

Yeah, I've been there too. Huge, its too bad that it had to be that big.

[Cutty72]

That is a place I definatly need to get to sometime.
Just has to be done.

[JoJoYZF]

Originally Posted by Gas Man

I have been to the original, I haven't seen the traveling wall. I have been to the original twice along with the tomb of the unknown soldier for the changing of the gaurd. Washington DC for all its greatness is pretty sweet. The fore fathers knew how to build a city to impress and intimdate.

That is a really nice story about Pete, NW. For your generation the wall has alot more sentimental meaning. To me, its just the great respect I have for all of our military people and its vets. The sacrifices that they all make for our freedom and the rights of not only us but others throughout the world.

Same here. Ive been to the wall twice and same for the changing of the guard. Definitely is a pretty impressive area. Both times I went I was still amazed at how the tombstones in Arlington are all in line.

[jetskifast]

Seen it, mad me sad to see all the wasted lives
Just like Iraq, many great American lives will go to waste

[nhgunnut]

Originally Posted by jetskifast

Seen it, mad me sad to see all the wasted lives
Just like Iraq, many great American lives will go to waste

The Wall is a very moving place for me and many of my generation.
While I am not commenting on the moral or political grounds of either conflict, but as a child of the times of Vietnam I feel it is worth pointing out one significant difference between Iraq and Vietnam.
The armed forces in Iraq are all volunteers (and if you are in Uniform THANK YOU for your service where ever it is) Vietnam on the other hand was largely staffed by conscripts. Young men whose only choice was to go in the service or flee the country!
One of my strongest memories as a high school student was listening to a group 0f 17 year olds discussing their SAT score like their lives depended on them BECAUSE THEY DID! One later died “In Country”
One other difference the troops coming home now are much less likely to be greeted by name calling or being spit on.
Whether you support the ideals of the war or not, we dam sure need to support our troops, it is because those Brave Men and Woman Volunteered that we do not have a draft. That means be cause they choose to waer the uniform YOU dont HAVE To
So next time you are thinking about buying an extra 12 pack or superfluous piece of gear you might send $5. To the USO and make the lives those who wear our uniforms a little more bearable.

[Cutty72]

Thank you nhgunnut