At that time the Americans were pulling out of Vietnam. If the soldier on your bracelet returned, you were supposed to send the bracelet to that person. I watched the broadcasts every day, to see if Captain Curtis Dan Miller, the name on my bracelet, got off. That never happened, so my desire to check the wall was important to me.
Washington DC is a very busy and bustling city, with all the noises that come with it. But, down by the wall is the complete opposite... It was really quite overwhelming to feel the reverence there.
When you arrive at the wall there are books at each end, that list the names on the wall, and label the section where the name can be found. I cannot express the feelings of sadness that I felt at that moment, when I found Curtis D. Miller on the wall. This was not someone I knew, but I had held onto that bracelet all those years, and to find him on the wall was heartbreaking.
Today, Jesse and I had the opportunity to see a 3/5 scale, traveling exhibit of the Vietnam Memorial. That feeling of reverence was there, too. Once again I found Curtis D. Miller on the wall. Jesse also found the name of Robert J. Gordon, one of his cousins who was killed in the battle Kaesong.
To see the thousands of names on that wall is so, so sad. To see people who are searching for the names of people they loved and lost is tear-jerking.
I'm so glad we took the opportunity to drive over to see it. We placed red carnations by the wall, in honor of the two men we found. We were able to sign a memorial flag that will be sent to Washington DC for Memorial Day, to be placed at the memorial there.
And, at noon, we helped release 100 black balloons,
in honor of those that gave their lives. I truly am grateful for them.
