Two years ago I spent my Memorial Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in DC…just me and my camera. It’s such a peaceful and serene place. You can feel the souls of those etched in the wall looking down upon you. Loved ones leave pictures, flags, and memorabilia of those lost.
As I was making my way down the wall I noticed a group of three Vietnam Vets. All standing at a particular spot on the wall. One guy was particularly intimidating with a long pony tail in Harley Davidson chaps, leather jacket and a bandana around his head. As he leaned over and took a pencil rubbing of a name he broke down and collapsed against the wall sobbing. And through his tears uttered the words “we miss you man, we’ll never forget you”. I didn’t know ‘him’, or them but I couldn’t help but feel his pain and found tears streaming down my face.
No one should have to go through this, no one should have to feel the pain of losing someone to war.
Mothers. Fathers. Sisters. Brothers. Children. Friends. are all affected by the tragedy of war.
I did two rubbings myself. One of Gary L. Jenks and the other of Orlando Torres-Oyola.
I just wanted to give a huge thank you to Gary Jenks, and Orlando Torres-Oyola, those who lost their lives, those who have fought, are fighting and will be fighting for our country. I know many brave young people who are serving our country in the military. My heart goes out to those who have lost love ones, and to those whose loved ones are deployed.
I can only hope for every last one of them to return safely.
Thank you for all you do.
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