The Reading of the Names
MoveCloseDeleteAdmin

TV ClubHouse: Archives: The Reading of the Names

Marysafan

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 12:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
This week marks the 20th Anniversay of the of the commemoration of the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC.

http://www.vvmf.org/Gallery/NovEvents/index_NovHome.htm

Secretary Principi, Senators Hagel and Mathias and Memorial founder Jan Scruggs will "officially" begin the Reading of the Names in which nearly 2,000 volunteers will read the more than 58,000 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

The Reading of Names will take place for 65 hours over a four-day period from November 7-10. Volunteers will read 30 names as they appear on The Wall, chronological by casualty date. It is the third time in The Wall's 20-year history that the more than 58,000 have been read aloud in Washington, D.C. In 1982 as part of the festivities to dedicate the Memorial, the names were read at National Cathedral. And, in 1992 as part of the 10th Anniversary activities, the names were read at The Wall.

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 12:20 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Wow. What a beautiful tribute. I was working as an intern in Congress when the Memorial was under construction, and walked by the site everyday, but it was not completed by the time I left. I've always wanted to see it. Maybe soon.

Marysafan

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 12:26 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
There are three young men from my hometown whose names will be read. They are Robert Polkinghorne, who was the older brother of my boyfriend at the time. Earl Seablom who stepped on a land mine on his very first day "in country". Peter Ulrickson, my classmate.

The day after graduation in 1968, Pete and my cousin Tom enlisted in the Marine corps. Tommy came home and Pete didn't. Pete was the quarterback of our fottball team and was well liked and respected by his peers. Pete left behind his "baby"...a black and white 1957 Chevy. He was 19.

When the kids here in Iowa went to visit the Wall..they brought me back a rubbing of Pete's name. I keep it attached to the mirror on my dresser. I hope to visit the Wall myself someday. These young men will never be forgotten.

I would like to encourage others to tell us the names from their area.

Calamity

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 01:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thank you for posting about this, Marysafan. My dad was not sent to Vietnam but his best friend was, and a number of my classmates' fathers were as well. I remember there was much controversary about the Memorial's design and people in the press were saying it was going to be a complete debacle. Instead it has become one of the most cathartic and healing sites in our country.

I just wish that some people weren't so eager to begin a list of names for the next memorial.

Juju2bigdog

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 04:56 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I came of age during the Vietnam War. I was lucky that nobody close to me got killed, but man, it colored our entire lives worrying about whether your brother of boyfriend or acquaintance was going to get drafted to go get killed.

Kstme

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 07:43 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
I was in HS when it "really" started and lost many friends through those horrible years. In 1969, I was married to a Viet Marine Corps Vet. We lived in a small apartment complex in Seattle where three other Marine Vets also lived. We began a weekend "get away" retreat for some of guys in the hospital in Bremerton, WA. The Marine Corps League backed us and helped with getting about 6 guys a weekend to our apt. The Olympia Brewing Co. found us an old refrigerator and converted it so it would hold a keg with the pour spout out the side. They supplied all our plastic cups and we paid half price for the kegs. We kept this going for over 8 months.

I wish I could say it was a terrific time. It wasn't. What I heard and the pain from those young men including my husband has lasted throughout my lifetime. The stories so realistic, gave me chills and nightmares. They held nothing back. To this day, I still can not watch a movie about the War.

We had a number of repeat patients who longed for some kind of "normalcy" in their screwed up world. We had some so drugged up they could barely smile. We had some still in casts and we had two missing limbs.

There was one guy who touched my heart in a way, I've never been able to describe. He'd lost both his legs and had been a Karate instructor prior to VN. He was GORGEOUS! His brother had been killed the week before he lost his legs. He was the MOST awe-inspiring person I have ever met in my life and because of his courage I believe he changed my life for the better.

To some of those friends I lost...Cory Herndon, Adin Marshall...I'm embarrassed to admit I can't remember all the names, but you are missed still.

Moondance

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 07:52 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
COL. Paul Underwood
3-16-66

My MIA/POW bracelet. I didn't know him but I asked my Mom to buy it for me (I was really young) and wore it for years. (early 70's)

Goddessatlaw

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 07:53 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Funny you should mention that, Moondance. I was just thinking that I still have my POW bracelet. I'm going to go dig it out.

Babyruth

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 08:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
MAJ. WILLIAM BROOKS
4-2-70

I looked around for an info site tonite after reading your posts, and looked here to find out about him:
POWnetwork

And here is what I found out:
Date of Loss: 04/22/70 BROOKS WILLIAM L.
USAF LAOS DOB: 04/24/33 TOLAR,TX
GROUP BURIAL 11/08/95


Wow- Last time I checked (by phone, to a different organization, about 10 years ago) they had no info on him. And now I know something.

I've worn the bracelet every Memorial Day since I received it in 1973.
Wow. :(

Moondance

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 09:04 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Oh BabyRuth ... Thank you so much.... last time I checked yearssss ago they had no info but on that website you posted...

16-Mar-66 UNDERWOOD PAUL GERARD USAF Remains Returned and Id'd 02/04/98

http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/u/u002.htm

Babyruth

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 09:16 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
You're very welcome!

Here's the story on my POW:
http://www.pownetwork.org/bios/b/b142.htm

This is info on the history of the bracelets and info on returning them to families:
http://www.pownetwork.org/bracelet.htm

Moondance

Thursday, November 07, 2002 - 09:25 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
B1vvvvvabyRuth (I am leaving that... Samson walked on my keyboard so he must be saying Hi to Jessie) ... they had a program where you could send the bracelet back to the POW/MIA organization and they would send it on to the family ... it was so hard to part with but thought I would honor his family that way... I miss it:)

I didn't even have to look up his name when I read this thread... It is engraved in my heart and mind.

Abbynormal

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 01:19 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Maj. David Holmes
3-15-66

I lost my bracelet in high school, but that name is forever with me.

Rig

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 04:37 am EditMoveDeleteIP
This is a very good and praiseworthy thread.

<Steps up on soapbox> Kstme, your post should be sent to the politicians who are so ready to go to war, but have never seen what war is really like. I'm not against the idea of defence against terrorism, but I want them to realize that war has terrible consequences, and should be the absolutely last resort.<steps down off of soapbox>

Moondance, you don't seem old enough to have been a teenager in the 70's. <hopes she won't think I'm a dirty old man for flirting>

Halfunit

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 04:50 am EditMoveDeleteIP
I found a website that allows you to search by name, city, state, and just about every other way you can search. The information you get is like this:

WILLIAM LESLIE BROOKS
COL - O6 - Air Force - Reserve
46 year old Married, Caucasian, Male
Born on Apr 24, 1933
From TOLAR, TEXAS
His tour of duty began on Apr 22, 1970
Casualty was on May 22, 1979
LAOS
Hostile, died while missing
FIXED WING - PILOT
AIR LOSS, CRASH ON LAND
Body was recovered
Religion BAPTIST
Panel 11W - - Line 34


The Wall

The search option is about half way down the page.

Moondance

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 10:48 am EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks Half!

Abby... yours was a day before mine! 3-16-66

Rig you can flirt as much as you want I was actually pre teen thru my teen years wearing the bracelet.

Babyruth

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 07:57 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Thanks so much, Halfunit!!!

Suitsmefine

Friday, November 08, 2002 - 08:46 pm EditMoveDeleteIP
Gary C. Hall-26 yrs. old- Capt. Air Force. Casualty Jan.24, 1975...........