The Vietnam Wall
Hello! Yes, I am The Wall. You have heard of me I am
sure,
You may have even contributed to my being.
I was built
through contributions from our veterans,
From all across The Great
United States,
To honor those who served and died in Vietnam.
Did you know I am 500 feet long,
Reflecting the
longest war in our nation's history?
I have 140 separate panels, each
for a particular time
In the history of that tragic war.
I am 10 feet
tall at my tallest point,
Just as our fine young men felt tall as they
answered
Our nation's call.
Less than a foot at my lowest,
Reflecting the feeling of our nation
For sending them.
I am made of Black Granite,
Black for the dark pages of history I reveal.
Granite for the
strength and courage of 3,300,000 servicemen
Who answered their
country's call.
And yes, part of me is buried
Just as over
58,000
Young men are whose names appear on my face.
Yes, I stand
here Tall, Dark, and Majestic. But I stand not alone.
I am visited
each day by tens, hundreds, yes, even thousands,
Who in some way are
touched by my cause.
Families stand before me, with thoughts of that
special one they loved.
Some bring tokens of rememberance, others flowers and letters,
While still others bow their heads in prayer.
But whatever their
reaction, they all seem to have one thing in common.
They ask, "Why,
Wall?"
I try to assure them, that perhaps it was not in vain.
That
perhaps there was a reason, not yet revealed.
But that if for no
other, then I am here
As a reminder, Not to let it happen
again
