FROM THE OTHER SIDE
By Patrick Camunes
At first there was no place for us to go until someone put up that
Black Granite Wall. Now, everyday and night, my Brothers and my
Sisters wait to see the many people from places afar file in front of
this Wall. Many stopping briefly and many for hours and some that come
on a regular basis. It was hard at first, not that it's gotten any
easier, but it seems that many of the attitudes towards that war that
we were involved in have changed. I can only pray that the ones on the
other side have learned something and more Walls as this one needn't
be built.
Several members of my unit and many that I did not recognize have
called me to the Wall by touching my name that is engraved upon it.
The tears aren't necessary but are hard even for me to hold back.
Don't feel guilty for not being with me, my Brothers. This was my
destiny as it is yours, to be on that side of the Wall.
Touch the Wall, my Brothers, so that we can share in the memories that
we had. I have learned to put the bad memories aside and remember only
the pleasant times that we had together. Tell our other Brothers out
there to come and visit me, not to say Good Bye but to say Hello and
be together again, even for a short time and to ease that pain of loss
that we all share.
Today, an irresistible and loving call comes from the Wall. As I
approach I can see an elderly lady and as I get closer I recognize
her.......It's Momma! As much as I have looked forward to this day, I
have also regretted it because I didn't know what reaction I would have.
Next to her, I suddenly see my wife and immediately think how hard it
must of been for her to come to this place and my mind floods with the
pleasant memories of 30 years past. There's a young man in a military
uniform standing with his arm around her......My God!......It's...it
has to be my son. Look at him trying to be the man without a tear in
his eye. I yearn to tell him how proud I am, seeing him standing tall,
straight and proud in his uniform.
Momma comes closer and touches the Wall and I feel the soft and gentle
touch I had not felt in so many years. Dad has crossed to this side of
the Wall and through our touch, I try to convey to her that Dad is
doing fine and is no longer suffering or feeling pain. I see my wife's
courage building as she sees Momma touch the Wall and she approaches
and lays her hand on my waiting hand. All the emotions, feelings and
memories of three decades past flash between our touch and I tell her
that it's all right. Carry on with your life and don't worry about
me......I can see as I look into her eyes that she hears and
understands me and a big burden has been lifted from her.
I watch as they lay flowers and other memories of my past. My lucky
charm that was taken from me and sent to her by my CO, a tattered and
worn teddy bear that I can barely remember having as I grew up as a
child and several medals that I had earned and were presented to my
wife. One of them is the Combat Infantry Badge that I am very proud of
and I notice that my son is also wearing this medal. I had earned mine
in the jungles of Vietnam and he had probably earned his in the
deserts of Iraq.
I can tell that they are preparing to leave and I try to take a mental
picture of them together, because I don't know when I will see them
again. I wouldn't blame them if they were not to return and can only
thank them that I was not forgotten. My wife and Momma near the Wall
for one final touch and so many years of indecision, fear and sorrow
are let go. As they turn to leave I feel my tears that had not flowed
for so many years, form as if dew drops on the other side of the Wall.
They slowly move away with only a glance over their shoulder. My son
suddenly stops and slowly returns. He stands straight and proud in
front of me and snaps a salute. Something makes him move to the Wall
and he puts his hand upon the Wall and touches my tears that had
formed on the face of the Wall and I can tell that he senses my
presence there and the pride and the love that I have for him. He
falls to his knees and the tears flow from his eyes and I try my best
to reassure him that it's all right and the tears do not make him any
less of a man.
As he moves back wiping the tears from his eyes, he silently mouths,
God Bless you, Dad...... God Bless, YOU, Son...... We WILL meet
someday but in the meanwhile, go on your way...... There is no
hurry.......There is no hurry at all.
As I see them walk off in the distance, I yell out to THEM and
EVERYONE there today, as loud as I can,.........
THANKS FOR REMEMBERING
And as others on this side of the Wall join in, I notice that the US
Flag that so proudly flies in front of us everyday, is flapping and
standing proudly straight out in the wind today.
THANK YOU ALL FOR REMEMBERING
