Regrets

Comments

Bob G - April 21, 2020

THE WALL: The closest I’ve came to it was at a fair when a scale was taken around the U.S.. I got within 20 feet of it but couldn’t walk up to it. Would love to see the real thing but can’t, I would not be able to hold me emotions in. Although I was in the motor pool in Nam I flew missions as a gunner on a schnook chopper wile in country. Did a lot of medevac’s but the war set in when I had to bring the dead in body bags out of the jungle to be processed and set home. I missed one flight and my stand in was killed, so it should have been me, my name should be on the wall and not his. People sometimes ask me “what was the worse part of being in Nam, my reply has always been the same. Coming back to the states. Part of me died there and with Agent orange the rest is dying here. So be it, I don’t regret my time there and would do it again if need be. Although I don’t have a lot of great Memories about the Marine Corp I do have some good ones and it is true ‘once a Marine always a Marine”.

Mike - April 21, 2020

Went to the “Traveling Wall” When it was down here in Griffin Georgia during the Memorial Day weekend in 2011. The only time I have ever felt so much emotion since Nam was the birth of my first son. I wasn’t quite the same for two weeks after. Rest In Peace my brother’s. RVN 69/70

bill - April 21, 2020

know how you feel buppy ,I cant go either.semper fi

John Reed - April 21, 2020

As a corpsman, I served with 1st Recon Bn at ChuLai 9/66 – 9/67. And then served with Marine Corps for 13 out of my 30 year career in the Navy. While stationed at the Naval Hospital, Okinawa, the wall was built and dedicated. Returning from Okinawa in the fall of 1985, one of my primary destinations was The Wall. Not know exactly where it was on the mall, we parked near the Washington Memorial, my wife, son and I walked down along the reflecting pond towards the Lincoln Memorial and then turned right to where I thought it might be. Over the slight rise, we came down into the apex of the memorial. Upon seeing it, I was overcome with emotion and fell to my knees with my wondering what had happened to his tall and strong dad on knees crying like a baby. My new duty station was NNMC Bethesda and I made the trip to The Wall numerous times over the 4 year period before being transferred to New Orleans. After repeated visits, I was able to control my emotions, but always was humbled by the mere presence of that memorial. HMCM (FMF), USN, Retired

Chuck Carter Sgt USMC 70-74 - April 21, 2020

I had a similar know a few names on the wall. It took years, finally went 3 years ago. Spent my time there found the names, cried a little. It was all a relieving visit, weight was lifted off my shoulders. Pay a visit, it will help in the healing.

Cpl. Ward D. Britt (Lizard) 0811, Nam ’69 & ’70, L-4-11 - April 21, 2020

Visiting wall made a big difference in PTSD suffering, ground my teeth at night for many years,after marriage it woke my wife up and she would use her elbow to wake me up. Doc at VA said it would help and it did. Go see it. An alternative might be the “Traveling Wall”- 1/2 size replica if it is near you sometime. It can evoke the same kind of healing response. Semper Fi, brothers.

Carter “Buck” Stewart HMH-463(361 det.) – USS Hancock - April 21, 2020

In reply to GySgt B. G. Yarbrough Boot camp May 69 to Aug 69 Vitenam 1970-1971 Desert Storm 1990-1991.
Went to the wall in 84′ and felt them speaking to me, even though I wasn’t very spiritual at the time. I only knew of four names, since I was only involved in the evac in 75′. My tough part was those in my hometown turning their backs on me, along with those at the university I attended after the corps. Go see this sacred place before time runs out. Your brothers-in-arms want to connect with you. Semper Fi & God bless all of you.

Paul Chacho Jr. SGT. E5 66to69. - April 21, 2020

I visited The Wall in the 90s. I too was a tough guy. I wanted to show my respects especially to a friend and fellow Marine who did not make it back. After being there for about 10 minutes I felt it. You all know what I mean and I do not know if those who were not there with us feel the same things. It was strange, surprising, yet I felt comfortable with it. It seemed to bring out unspoken feelings in me that I understood and was glad to be feeling. I felt a kinship with those on the Wall and I was glad I was there to be with them. By all means, GO if you have not. It will be meaningful. I promise. Semper Fi!

GySgt B. G. Yarbrough Boot camp May 69 to Aug 69 Vitenam 1970-1971 Desert Storm 1990-1991 - April 21, 2020

Every one of the previous comments ring true to our hearts. I have been to the wall twice and the traveling wall twice. I cannot leave them with out crying like a baby. Even though many on that wall I did not know personally they are still my brothers and I miss them as such. I have the picture “REFLECTION” hanging up in my Marine Corps room right behind this computer. Even typing this brings tears to my eyes. My wife has been with me for all my visits and she knows a warm shoulder and plenty of tissues are a must. Unfortunately I am the only survivor from my home town out of the three of us that went to Vietnam. The other two were in the Army and one was my next door neighbor. And upon my home return from Nam, my home town turned their backs on me. So my FAMILY was and still is the Marine Corps Family. I keep telling those names on the wall to be patient, I will be with them shortly. Our time here is running out so if you have not gone to the WALL in DC or the traveling WALL go now do not wait. It will be scary at first but those ills and hurts of the soul will be lessened 1000%. SEMPER FI brothers and sisters.

G.M.C Sr - April 21, 2020

Time is short for all of Us….do it , I am 69 yrs old, Vietnam Vet (Tet 1968-1969) Just had a Acute MI just minutes from passing.I was already enjoying my life with my wife and family members. Made myself a promise to see the Vietnam Wall and did so, have also seen the traveling wall…Get with it or you will never do it…