[smedley64]

I saw the memorial the one trip I made to DC, many, many years ago. I just remember walking and walking, and the names never seeming to end. It's such a somber place, and a fitting memorial to our Vietnam vets. I'm glad they finally got something to memorialize the sacrfices they made for their nation, both for those who never made it back, and those who did and were never welcomed home the way they should have been. God bless your uncle.

I was born in 64, and as a child, one of my neighbors was a former helicopter pilot in Vietnam. Me and my brother were always fascinated by things that flew, and we'd try to get him to talk about his glorious flying days in Vietnam, sometimes to the point of pestering him, but he'd always gently say "I'm sorry boys, but I just can't talk about it..." All we knew was that he flew a helicopter in Vietnam, and that was enough to make him a hero to us.

[edzo4]

the WWII memorial is impressive as well there is a wall with 4000 gold stars one for each soldier lost, and around the back carved in stone is the Kilroy was here face peeking over

[jagusafr]

My dad flew F-4s out of Da Nang. I didn’t hear a single word from him about his experiences for over 25 years - until I went into the Air Force. Then he opened up - some. I find that there are some things we only feel comfortable talking about with other military members. For good or ill, we feel that civilians can’t relate.

Colonel, USAFR