WHAT BETTER TIME OR PLACE.....?

[rooter]

Try to tell us of your emotional experience visiting THE WALL......Chief


On Nov. 10, 1982, the newly finished Vietnam Veterans Memorial was opened to its first visitors in Washington, D.C.

[Snakedriver]

It took a long time for me to be able to go to the Wall. Finally in the year 2000 the Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association, a group I belong to, had its annual 4th of July Reunion in D.C. and we went as a group at sunrise. It was an emotional occasion that had been put off too long. A lot of healing took place that day. Since I was there late in the war during 1972 & 1973, all my lost brothers are just left of the apex.

[clamman]

VN era non combat here. Haven't seen the wall in DC yet, but did visit the moving wall when it came to Raleigh a few years back. Saw a few names, was an emotional visit. I'll never forget it.

[cpt-t]

Snakedriver: I flew for the CAV also in 71 & 72 with 229th out of Bien Hoa. Were you in the Blue Max out of the Red Carpet Pad. I left Country a few weeks befor the big fight at AN LOC. I am very sorry about your friends, But I am glad you made it home and I hope you are alright. I lived at AN LOC my first tour in 68 & 69, with the 1st INF DIV.
I have never been to the Wall in DC. But I go to the Moving Wall when it comes within driving distance of me. I go there between 0300 & 0600 that way I can see and rub my fingers over the names of my friends, And I can talk to each one, with out being bothered by some boosed up or druged up Want To Be RIMF. That wants to put there arms around you and tell you. I was there with you BRO. I wasn`t popular in the in the 60`s 70`s or 80`s and I don`t want to be popular now.
TAKE CARE MY FRIEND:
ken

[Snakedriver]

Originally Posted by cpt-t

Snakedriver: I flew for the CAV also in 71 & 72 with 229th out of Bien Hoa. Were you in the Blue Max out of the Red Carpet Pad. I left Country a few weeks befor the big fight at AN LOC. I am very sorry about your friends, But I am glad you made it home and I hope you are alright. I lived at AN LOC my first tour in 68 & 69, with the 1st INF DIV.
I have never been to the Wall in DC. But I go to the Moving Wall when it comes within driving distance of me. I go there between 0300 & 0600 that way I can see and rub my fingers over the names of my friends, And I can talk to each one, with out being bothered by some boosed up or druged up Want To Be RIMF. That wants to put there arms around you and tell you. I was there with you BRO. I wasn`t popular in the in the 60`s 70`s or 80`s and I don`t want to be popular now.
TAKE CARE MY FRIEND:
ken

cpt-t, PM sent. Thanks for your kind words.

[WHSmithIV]

Chief - I have never seen it. If I ever do get to see it I am very certain that it will be a very emotional experience for me. Some of my relatives are listed on it.

[Redhand]

Haven't been to the wall in DC but did visit the traveling wall when it came to our burg. I left a c-rat can of peaches and pound cake to share. I've been invited many times to go with the Rolling Thunder group. Everytime I hear that mentioned I can hear a flight of 52,s pounding the hell out of the DMZ from Con-Thien just prior to Christmas 1967.

[Snakedriver]

Originally Posted by Redhand

Haven't been to the wall in DC but did visit the traveling wall when it came to our burg. I left a c-rat can of peaches and pound cake to share. I've been invited many times to go with the Rolling Thunder group. Everytime I hear that mentioned I can hear a flight of 52,s pounding the hell out of the DMZ from Con-Thien just prior to Christmas 1967.

The last few months I was in Vietnam I lived at Camp Holloway in Pleiku and there are a couple of well know entries for the Ho Chi Minh Trail nearby at Dak To and Ia Drang Valley. We used to sleep well at night listening to the rumble of the 52 strikes going in at those location each night. We usually were called upon to go inspect the damage the next morning.

It was amazing how fast the damage from the Arc Lights was repaired and the trail put back into operation. Many of our Highway Repair Dept's. could learn a lot from those guys.