All our fallen warriors are important. However, some hold a special place in our hearts, as individuals. We cherish them not just for who they are but for their families and friends.
This past year I had my XX high school reunion and touched base with many old friends from Charlottesville. I talked with Brenda, a high school friend. We somehow got on the subject of Charlie Milton, who was killed in Vietnam. Charlie was a high school chum of mine and a little more than that to her. We both had a good cry and promised to go to The Wall together. I had already located Charlie a number of years ago. It still breaks my heart.
Did I mention that this song in the video, was written by another classmate, John Rimel. He and Jimmy Fortune co-wrote More than a Name on a Wall together. One of their friends had been killed in Vietnam. It was so good to see John and he had changed so much. He was tall, distinguished, and still so very talented.
As I close, I think of my friend Mark and his wife who lost their son in Iraq. Colin was certainly more than a name on a wall to his family and friends.
Maybe its time for us as a nation to start thinking about the cost of war in human terms. I have gotten so I can barely stand to go to The Wall any more. That’s my generation. My mother felt that way about the WWII Memorial. She never went. Perhaps neither of us has the stomach for war.
