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PHIL LOSSIFER
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On a dark, gray, misty mornin' I visited the Movin' Viet Wall. Was at Elmira's Eldridge Park. Mist produced a kinda ethereal atmosphere, like the world was cryin'. Knew somebody, younger than me, which leads t' this 'un.
Name listed was Captain Marlin Siegwalt. Fambly lived in Phelps, neighbors like. Like most people younger, not much attention paid when growin' up. Encountered him years later. He'd become a manufacturer's rep sellin' t' industry. Tol' me his name, renewed acquaintances, ast him 'bout the fambly, usual stuff. Came a few times more, last visit sed he'd enlisted t' become a pilot, was gonna fight in Viet Nam. Ain't gonna go inta reason, but many young men did the same thing, fer God an' country, doncher know. Lost track of him, as life goes on, heard he was shot down over 'Nam.'
Wall came t' Elmira, accompanied with over five hundred motorcycles in a parade from Corning. Impressive, an' lotta work from volunteers settin' it up, placin' flags, helpin' with duties involved. Each section blended inta another. People announcin' names on the wall.
Endin' this story here would be a disservice t' many people. Wonder how many Finger Lakes people visited it? There were emotions at the wall, won't go there. People left flowers in front of their relative's name, or a card. If y' din't go, next time y' see it's comin' it's worth seein'.
Absent was Media, 'cept fer me that mornin'. Talked 'bout Kennedy's assassination t' one grizzled Marine. He sed Oswald din't do it, he'd had him in boot. Couldn't hit the broad side of a barn. What's more, mosta us know firin' fast bolt action rifle can't be done. Range was outta the rifle's limit. Had the same opine who was behind it, won't go there.
Veterans from past wars payin' respects. Some were emotional when they remembered buddies left behind. Again, Media warn't there, no bleed an' lead story there.
There was a picture of a soldier carryin' a cryin' child. Soldiers had special place fer kids. We fed, contributed money t' orphanages, helped mothers. We're doin' the same thing in Iraq or elsewhere. Durin' Indonesian tsunami clean-up kids were taken care of by G.I.s. Article in paper showed Iraqi girl given an ear operation so she could hear, paid by G.I.s. No Media interest, wasn't bleed. They show combat pictures killin' civilians, not defendin' themselves aginst a terrorist willin' t' kill his own neighbors.
There's an endin' here. Capt. Marlin Siegwalt. Question: How many more walls will be built honorin' soldier's patriotism? While defeat is snatched from victory through "negotiated" settlements satisfyin' Media's an' leaders' ego. Walls of names don't show people's tragedy nor lost lives.
Side note: How many people, like BW, sed somethin' compelled them t' see it. Wall impacts people's emotions in different ways, but they came, in the rain, like Mother Nature was weepin' over husbands an' sons lost. Could it come t' Phelps? Cost is 'bout fifty grand, plus volunteers, worth it. Nuff sed.
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