My brother joined the Marines right out of high school and soon after landed in Viet Nam. I was just a little girl and didn't really understand war....I just knew one of my big brothers was gone and everything changed. One of the happiest days of my life was when I got called to the principals office and David was standing there to take me home. He never really came home to stay after that and he was mt the same, but he has always had my back.
Life goes on and the years pass, like other Vets I know he doesn't talk about Nam. He has had a serious health issue and has never blamed it on his service, but I do.
I read about so much loss here, I know my story is small compared to those. After all, my hero lived to come home and arrived back here with his body intact. I stand at the Wall and it breaks me with the weight of its sorrow, and my heart cries for every soul who went to Nam. I appreciate the lives lost and forever changed by war.
I hope you can appreciate the love of a little girl who really didn't understand much except that one more home was shadowed by something she didn't understand. And that fell away when my big brother came and got me at school, took my hand in his and walked me home. And like the Marine he is, he has always been honorable and he has always had my back.
So many lives forever changed by every war, so much sadness and loss. So much joy shadowed by grief and guilt that our loved ones came home and others did not. I appreciate the service of every Veteran, and I thank you with all I am.
Norfolk, VA