Interesting Photo

[BusyBee604]

I'm going to make a point of going to D.C. to see the actual memorial.

After putting it off for a number of years, I finally made the trip to see the Vietnam Wall in 1988. As you noted, it was a very moving experience. It was very tough for me, tracing the names of my Squadron (VA-146) CO, and two other fallen Squadronmates. I'm glad that I went, but decided that I wouldn't want to go through that experience again.

*BzB, Son Mike & my 2 Brothers departing bus at the Vietnam Wall 09/88
BzB

 

[brownshoe]

My error, sir, I guess I'm too suspicious, and quick to look for the bad instead of the good. The traveling Viet Nam memorial wall was in town, and I saw your post right after I got home from going to the wall. It was a moving experience, I'm going to make a point of going to D.C. to see the actual memorial.

Let me know when you are going, I'll meet you there. I'm only about an hour away.

 

[brownshoe]

I suspect that each piece has some familial significance.

As it turns out I know the fellow who owns the house. He and I are the same age and graduated from high school the same year. Though we have not seen each other for about 40 years, after high school we both went separate ways. He’s a Vietnam Army vet and of course I joined the Navy. I went by his house today and he was out mowing the lawn so I stopped to chat about his decorations and we renewed our friendship.

This (the decorations) all started with his keen interest in the Civil War (much history here in the area) and he started collecting Civil War statues first. Over the years he’s added from the other wars but really hasn’t been able to find any Vietnam era pieces. During the G8 summit, WUSA, channel 9, out of Washington had a news crew in the park across from his house to film demonstrations, noticed his house, and interviewed him about his decorations. I looked quickly but couldn’t find a link, Tommy said it was on the 12th.

Funny thing though, seems as though we have a few Skeeterman’s here in the area too. Tommy headed the committee for the Vietnam Memorial in our local Memorial Park (pictures in this thread) and word was sent out for volunteers to help. Tommy said many Vietnam vets showed up and “war stories” abounded. He and a few others decided that everyone should produce copies of DD214’s to be approved for admission to the committee. He said: “Steve, the crowd thinned out greatly.”

 

[BusyBee604]

Funny thing though, seems as though we have a few Skeeterman’s here in the area too..”

Posers & Phonies.... they continue to walk among us, like ZOMBIEs!
BzB

 

[Jim123]

As it turns out I know the fellow who owns the house... and we renewed our friendship.

Wow! That certainly worked out well. Sometimes things happen for a reason.

The backstory of the display wasn't what I expected, but it's still very meaningful.