Focal Point USA
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The Silence of Guilt
Rich Carroll
Sometime during the evening hours of September 8th, 2007, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. was defaced
with a petroleum based acid liquid. The liberal media barely
mentioned this outrageous vandalism. Most avoided the news
completely. Not one Senator or Congressman has stood-up and
demanded better security for the memory of these 58,249 killed
during the Democrat war in Vietnam. Could it be guilt over their
deaths, or guilt that a left-wing Democrat group organized this
despicable act at yet another time in history when Democrats
consider United States Military personnel little more than "Nazi storm
troopers"? (quote Dick Durbin, Illinois). Could the silence of the left
be their thunderous acceptance of further degrading our fine
military personnel? Whatever the reason, for those veterans, their
families, and all veterans of the armed forces I leave you this tribute.
The Vietnam Memorial Wall comes into view at 100 yards after
turning off the mall path in Washington, D.C. It was at this "first
glimpse" I buried my face in my hands and wept uncontrollably,
sobbing in gasps of heartbreak and despair. And, in that moment of
trying to regain my composure, the sights and sounds and smells of
Vietnam came roaring back into my mind. I am overwhelmed that
the "Wall" is so big, and so black. I retreated to the steps of the
Lincoln Monument nearby, looking back in the direction of my
mental tormentor.
And so, to my friends, Bobby, and Terry, Paul, Al, and others and all
my brothers, I will not be one who can touch your name, but if you
were there my heart would break that you should see me go, and so
I leave you softly, as I came among the breeze and the trees and
grass to pay my respects.
I am pleased that your monument is close to the reflecting
pool..."beside still waters"...and overlooked by the omnipotent
seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, passing judgment on any man
who cannot bear witness that we remember you.
And as I softly walk away, never to return, I AM healed, knowing
that your monument is a constantly working reminder that this
nation should never again send our brothers, sons, husbands and
fathers to fight another country's civil war. Your names etched in
that black marble stone are a steadfast reminder of the waste of
our finest for no just cause. May your sacrifice be the teacher to all
future elected officials who govern this nation...may your souls keep
perpetual vigil.
I must move on now, softly leaving you in person but never in my
heart. We were young once, and at war, and for that one
indeterminable moment in our lives doing something we thought so
right. So I leave you softly, to pass-by the Korean War Monument,
and the Monument for men who died in the "great war", up the
green tree lined mall into the rain and fresh air that dries my tears to
hear the laughter of small children and to cry no more, forever in
remembrance of you.
I will leave you there, softly in my walk away that each American
visits this memorial and says to themselves; "never again". I will
walk away quietly and softly now with longer strides, and a smile
returns as you have helped me for but a brief moment to let-go of
our past and look forward to a future that you helped create.
My angels, I softly leave you there that you see my smiles and no
more tears and I thank you for healing my soul with the memories
of the good times we shared. I will let you go now, in the softness
of the cool morning air and I will no longer see you in my dreams.
I salute you all; and for now, good-bye.
Rich Carroll
Sometime during the evening hours of September 8th, 2007, the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C. was defaced
with a petroleum based acid liquid. The liberal media barely
mentioned this outrageous vandalism. Most avoided the news
completely. Not one Senator or Congressman has stood-up and
demanded better security for the memory of these 58,249 killed
during the Democrat war in Vietnam. Could it be guilt over their
deaths, or guilt that a left-wing Democrat group organized this
despicable act at yet another time in history when Democrats
consider United States Military personnel little more than "Nazi storm
troopers"? (quote Dick Durbin, Illinois). Could the silence of the left
be their thunderous acceptance of further degrading our fine
military personnel? Whatever the reason, for those veterans, their
families, and all veterans of the armed forces I leave you this tribute.
The Vietnam Memorial Wall comes into view at 100 yards after
turning off the mall path in Washington, D.C. It was at this "first
glimpse" I buried my face in my hands and wept uncontrollably,
sobbing in gasps of heartbreak and despair. And, in that moment of
trying to regain my composure, the sights and sounds and smells of
Vietnam came roaring back into my mind. I am overwhelmed that
the "Wall" is so big, and so black. I retreated to the steps of the
Lincoln Monument nearby, looking back in the direction of my
mental tormentor.
And so, to my friends, Bobby, and Terry, Paul, Al, and others and all
my brothers, I will not be one who can touch your name, but if you
were there my heart would break that you should see me go, and so
I leave you softly, as I came among the breeze and the trees and
grass to pay my respects.
I am pleased that your monument is close to the reflecting
pool..."beside still waters"...and overlooked by the omnipotent
seated statue of Abraham Lincoln, passing judgment on any man
who cannot bear witness that we remember you.
And as I softly walk away, never to return, I AM healed, knowing
that your monument is a constantly working reminder that this
nation should never again send our brothers, sons, husbands and
fathers to fight another country's civil war. Your names etched in
that black marble stone are a steadfast reminder of the waste of
our finest for no just cause. May your sacrifice be the teacher to all
future elected officials who govern this nation...may your souls keep
perpetual vigil.
I must move on now, softly leaving you in person but never in my
heart. We were young once, and at war, and for that one
indeterminable moment in our lives doing something we thought so
right. So I leave you softly, to pass-by the Korean War Monument,
and the Monument for men who died in the "great war", up the
green tree lined mall into the rain and fresh air that dries my tears to
hear the laughter of small children and to cry no more, forever in
remembrance of you.
I will leave you there, softly in my walk away that each American
visits this memorial and says to themselves; "never again". I will
walk away quietly and softly now with longer strides, and a smile
returns as you have helped me for but a brief moment to let-go of
our past and look forward to a future that you helped create.
My angels, I softly leave you there that you see my smiles and no
more tears and I thank you for healing my soul with the memories
of the good times we shared. I will let you go now, in the softness
of the cool morning air and I will no longer see you in my dreams.
I salute you all; and for now, good-bye.
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