the wall

How much do you know about the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall?



I watched a show about the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial Wall this morning. I have seen it once before, but could watch it ten times. I also have a couple of books about it, my favorite one is about items people have left at the wall itself. I am pretty fascinated with it all. Pretty overwhelming.



I have not been blessed enough to stand in front of this wall of honor, or to see the traveling replica. Both are very amazing, and I will eventually make my way there to check it out, and of course, to photograph it. To me, it's symbolic of so many things, that I can easily picture being overcome with sadness, but pride as well, when there.



It was very interesting to see this memorial explained to , and to also see an interview with the architect who designed it. Maya Lin designed the memorial wall with much thought and desire to honor those fallen, and to speak to all generations yet to come. She purposely chose the granite to form the wall itself. White granite, when polished becomes highly reflective. She loved the look this gave when viewing the wall. It allows you to see, but at the same time realized that though the fallen have passed into the shadowy realm, we have not. Another aspect that helped her to choose the white granite is the contrast provided when etched into. The etchings create the stark contrast of white on dark. This makes the names carved into highly visible and very easy to read. However, when it rains, it almost seems as if the names disappear, causing yet another level of emotional response. It's absolutely chilling to see it on tv, and I can't imagine how it would be to have the opportunity to be there after a rain shower.



She wanted to list the names in the year they died as opposed to alphabetically to help us to remember their place in time. The height and length of the wall are meant to point out the vastness of the fallen. There are many aspects Lin considered when creating this memorial. I think The Wall should have a HUGE place in our children's history lessons. Of course, I will readily admit, I am a history buff, and like to watch the history channel more than most. I think part of the reason for that is because the pride, honor, and genuine heart people had a long time ago seems to be slowly slipping away in our generation. Of course there are exceptions to that, and I know it.



I just wish more of our society had remained "old school," where spanking was not only accepted but EXPECTED; it was not considered lazy for a mother to stay home to raise their children; church on Sunday wasn't an option, it was a way of life; parents were respected not only by their children, but by everyones; divorce was a last resort; men held jobs rather than rely on the government to support their families; paternity tests were unheard of, and uneeded; high school football games were about school pride, and not primarily a social event; it was okay for a kid to 'try out' for a team and NOT make it; and so many other things.

That wall signifies a different place in time all together.

I wonder how many of those service people would be happy with what the USA has turned into, after their great sacrifices to give us the land of the free?