Veterans’ Day 2005

Veterans’ Day 2005
Henry W. Hessing

In autumn when leaves change colors and begin to fall, raking becomes a full time occupation. Football season is in full stride. Temperatures become brisk. Children and adults celebrate Halloween. Many look forward to Thanksgiving and warm holiday meals shared with family and friends. And between these holidays are muted days that inspire contemplation.

Veterans’ Day is one of those days. It is very deliberate in terms of historical fact - the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month – the time specified to remember those who have died for our freedom.

Who were they? Who were those who gave their lives?

They were the young. During a ceremony in 1985, our President said, “In a sense they gave up two lives, the one they lived and the one they never had the chance to live - the opportunity to be husbands, parents or grandparents.” Sometimes the remembered are honored with parades, ceremonies and speeches.

Maya Ying Lin’s concept for the Viet Nam Memorial was to create a quiet place within the Constitution Gardens. It has been described as, “Polished black granite reflecting the images of the surrounding trees, lawns, monuments and visitors. The walls seem to stretch into the distance towards the Washington Monument to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the west.”

Some visitors trace the names of their loved ones from the polished walls. Others place flowers at the base. Silently we read the names and dates. Our mind creates images of their faces and smiles. On these ebony walls, we see their reflections. We remember their earnestness, dedication, sense of honor, and their valor. Through quiet radiance emanating from solemn experience, those of us who served in Viet Nam, sense an enormous grief. On the cheeks of the living, we see tears of sorrow.

We remember 58,178 gentle heroes. We shall always remember.