Respect and Dignity for The Fallen Heroes and Veterans of The Vietnam War

On September 16th I went to view the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall at Resthaven Cemetery. I have not been to Washington, DC to see the actual Vietnam Memorial so I couldn't let this opportunity pass me by. Seeing the wall and the 58,000+ names took my breath away and brought tears to my eyes. Seeing the Vietnam Veterans that were there touching the wall, reflecting on what happened got to my heart. I respect our Military, Veterans, and Fallen Heroes so very much. It hurts my heart that the Veterans from the Vietnam War were treated the way that they were when they returned from their service. I always want to shake each one of their hands, hug them, and tell them "Welcome Home Soldier"! Below is a video that GuideOne Insurance made of the motorcycle escort that the Dignity Wall had to Resthaven Cemetery. Finally the Veterans and Fallen Heroes are getting the RESPECT and DIGNITY that they deserve. I'm also including a poem that my Vietnam Veteran friend Hondo wrote. Thank you Hondo for allowing me to publish this on my blog.



INSIDE THE WALL

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 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
stand 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"

For he today, that sheds his blood with
me, shall be my brother.


Support your local Vietnam Veterans MC.

Rolling Thunder 2010 - A Marine's Vigil

Iowa Thunder Run 2009

When I saw on the Biker Chick News blog that May 17th was the Iowa Thunder Run I put it on my calendar as something Dan and I must do! I really didn't know what to expect since we have never ridden on this ride before. We left Johnston at a little after noon and made our way to Southridge Mall. You couldn't miss where the bikers were to meet in the mall parking lot. It was a sea of black leather dotted with American Flags. This was unlike the Abate Toy Run we had attended last October. The feeling was much more somber. The bikers in attendance seemed to be reflecting on who we were honoring today. I stood for a few minutes and watched as Vets hugged each other and shook hands. I felt sadness in my heart knowing that some of their Brothers and Sisters did not make it home alive.

At 1 pm the Des Moines Police Department alerted us that they were going to begin their escort of us down SE 14th Street. Engines roared to life. It sounded like Thunder in the mall parking lot. It's hard to tell how many motorcycles moved into formation, I would guess 350 or more. We were toward the back of the pack and it was an incredible sight seeing all of those bikes a few miles ahead. Going through all of the stop lights didn't have as much luster as it did on the toy run because my thoughts kept going to the soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan. I kept thanking them in my head for what they do so that we could even be riding today. I thought of all the Vets from all the wars. I thought of all who have died, never to see their families and friends again. We were all letting them know in our own way that it was not in vain! Even with the way the world is changing there are still people out there, like me, that hold our Country, Our Military in the highest regard!

As soon as the ride began it ended. We pulled into a parking lot near the War Memorials by the Capital. There were more hugs and handshakes. And then we all headed into the Memorial site.




The haunting sounds of a Bagpiper played as we gathered at the Iowa Vietnam Memorial. We said the Pledge of Allegiance and sang the Star Spangled Banner. Two Vietnam Veterans...Rabbi and Moose spoke to the crowd about Honoring our Military and thanked everyone that does special things for the Veterans.




Moose read an Essay called 1/2 Man 1/2 Boy. It really touched me and I'm including it in my post.
The average age of the military man is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances, is considered by society as half man, half boy. Not yet dry behind the ears, not old enough to buy a beer, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's, but he has never collected unemployment either.
He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away He listens to rock and roll or hip-hop or rap or jazz or swing and a 155mm howitzer.

He is 10 to 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk. He has trouble spelling; thus letter writing is a pain for him. He can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and re-assemble it in less time in the dark. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.
He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional.

He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march.

He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity. He is self-sufficient.

He has two sets of fatigues; he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry.

He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low.

He has learned to use his hands like weapons and weapons like they were his hands.

He can save your life - or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all.

He has seen more suffering and death than he should have in his short lifetime.
He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed.

He feels every note of the National Anthem vibrate through his body while at rigid attention, while tempering the burning desire to 'square-away ' those around him who haven't bothered to stand, remove their hat or even stop talking.

In an odd twist, day in and day out, far from home, he defends their right to be disrespectful.

Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy. He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years.
He has asked nothing in return except our friendship and understanding.
Remember him always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

And now we even have women over there in danger, doing their part in this tradition of going to war when our nation calls us to do so.

As you go to bed tonight, remember this shot. . .

A short lull, a little shade and a picture of loved ones in their helmets.

Rabbi sang a song called "The Wall", which he wrote. I couldn't find his song but found the one below on myspace and thought if you were interested you could listen to it. It was written by a Vet named Danny Barnes. "That Black Wall"

As we stood and listened to Rabbi sing his song it began to rain. I thought to myself once, this is going to be a cold trip home but then I thought...you know...A Soldier fighting for our country has gone through far worse then riding home in the rain. The conclusion of the Thunder Run was the Bagpiper playing Amazing Grace. Yes, it brought tears to my eyes. It does everytime. I'm so glad that we attended this Tribute to our Troops. I really learned a lot today from Rabbi and Moose. We need to continue helping our Soldiers and Vets on an ongoing basis. We can never forget what they sacificed for us. Thank you to each and every one of them from the bottom of my heart!

Please keep our Men and Women serving all over the world in your thoughts and prayers. If you meet a Soldier or a Vet make sure you thank them! And never forget "Freedom is Not Free". God Bless America!

Check out the Iowa Thunder site http://home.att.net/~iowathunder/ . Next years ride is on May 23rd.

IPG Showed up At Sturgis...

I have a story from Sturgis that I've gone back and forth about sharing because I don't want anyone to think I am trying to get a pat on the back or comments on how nice I am. I want to tell it because I want people to realize that a small act of kindness and acknowledgement can go a long way.

Dan and I were wandering through all of the vendors in Sturgis to try to find a better deal on a shirt that Dan wanted to get. As we entered one of the vendor tents I spotted a gentleman standing off to the side, seeming like he'd love to be anywhere but there. As I observed him more I noticed that on his vest were patches that read Vietnam Veteran, etc. It appeared that maybe he was working there. He didn't talk to anyone unless they asked him a question and he just had this sad look about him. We had worked our way over to this table that was near where he was standing. I got this feeling in my heart that I wanted to say something to him. I walked over to him and took his hand in mine. I looked directly into his eyes and he gave me this very startled look like, what the hell lady! I said to him...Sir, thank you very much for the service that you gave to our country. I appreciate all you sacrificed. He looked back at me and said...Wow, you are welcome. I squeezed his hand ever so lightly and walked away.

As Dan paid for the shirt he wanted, I observed this man again. He went from lurking to the side of the tent, to walking up to people and talking to them in a matter of a couple minutes. And the best part about it, he had a smile on his face.

The point of my story is that if you feel something in your heart do it, say it. The feeling that you have could uplift someones spirit and help them through the day. I guess I'm all about supporting our real heroes. The ones that put their lives on the line for our freedom. As D-Day has said a couple times...maybe I should change my name to Iowa Patriot Girl. I just have such a love and respect for our military that every chance I get I tell them how much I do appreciate them. I think my whole thing is, lift up those that are real heroes, they need to know what they are doing or did is that important!

2008 National POW/MIA Recognition Day - Friday, September 19th, 2008

Please remember our countries POW/MIA Soldiers on September 19, 2008. You can visit the following website to view stats on the names and number of soldiers from World War II, The Korean War, The Cold War, Vietnam, and the 1991 Gulf War that are still missing. http://www.dtic.mil/dpmo/powday/index.htm There is also this website that gives the names of our POW/MIA Soldiers from Operation Iraqi Freedom. http://www.aiipowmia.com/stats.html
We must never forget these Soldiers and must continue to urge our Government to do whatever they can to locate them and bring them home where they belong!

William Van Dyke

It's 5:20 am and I'm up doing my early morning Internet surfing before I get ready for work. I was googling something and found the website of William Van Dyke...Singer, Songwriter, Recording Artist, Vietnam Veteran, Biker...and I think he should add to his website title Old Dirty Biker!! I thought I'd post a link to his site so that anyone interested could check him out. http://www.williamvandyke.com/index.html I'm sure some of you have heard of him but for those who never have, like myself...yes I bow my head in shame...here is your chance. Watch the Sturgis video clips...they are great! The clip of the Sturgis wedding made me a little teary eyed... So anyway...it's early and my head is still in a fog...need coffee!!

Have a great Tuesday everyone!

IHG