More than a name...

Top: My five year old nephew asking questions about life.
Bottom: Finding the name on the traveling wall.

The lawn was crowded, but you would never know. A few whispers could be heard along with the shuffling of feet, the snapping of hundreds of American flags whipping in the wind, and the silent sobs of an American hero.

He was an older gentleman who had on a black Veterans cap, an American flag on his shirt and as I looked up, I could see the tears roll down his face. He was reaching out to a memory, a memory he could touch with the tips of his fingers. A name of a lost comrade, friend, brother, cousin, hero. 

It was a name on the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall on EKUs Campus. Three hundred feet of names to remind us of the great sacrifices that were made during the Vietnam War. They say it was “made for the purpose of helping heal and rekindle friendships and to allow people the opportunity to visit loved ones who otherwise may not be able to make the trip to Washington.” 

I found the name of my dad’s cousin, Farris Lee Richardson, and couldn’t help but reach out and run my finger tips over his name. He was a Sergeant in the 101st Airborn Divison. He was only 20 years old when he was killed in action in March of 1968.  

Now, he is a name on a wall, a memory of someone I’ve never even met, but someone whom I hold in the greatest of respect. I couldn’t help the tears. 

It was a moment that even my five year old nephew, William, knew had to be respected. A time to be quiet. He whispered questions to my mom, “Nan, what is this?” “Are they in heaven?” “Everything is good in heaven, so are they having fun?” 

When we walked by the traveling museum he saw a pair of combat boots and asked me if those belong to one of the soldiers “who are with Jesus?”

“Maybe, but he doesn’t need them in Heaven.”

As we made our way through the visitors, I told mom that even though I’ve been to D.C. and seen the original wall, that this was something that every American should see. Visual proof of what these men sacrificed for our country, our families, and our future.

I am proud to be an American. Proud to say that I have family members who have fought and some who have died for their country. Because of the sacrifice of these men and those before them, and those men and women who are fighting today, I am able to write this and say thank you and God Bless.