FROM THE OTHER SIDE
By Patrick Camunes

"There are so many things that are written about the Wall but never
anything of being on the other side. I was inspired by the picture
Reflections that I use as wallpaper on my PC and a recent story,
Autumn 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...it 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 alright. 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 stands 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 alright 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.........