The Wall

On a recent trip to Washington DC, we were 
fortunate enough to have a friend as a guide. 
He took his new camera with him. He was to
give copies of his pictures to us. One of the 
most thought provoking pictures is a picture 
of a few of us, as we viewed “The Wall” (the 
Viet Nam Memorial). At first glance, it's just a 
good picture of Tourists viewing some of the 
58,229 names of men and women who died 
in that terrible conflict...but he pointed out the
reflections in the wall looking right back. 

The reflection makes that picture special, but 
something I heard Actor Craig T. Nelson say 
in an episode of the 'District' on TV, put it all 
in perspective. He said when you look at the 
names on 'The Wall', look past them...look at 
the reflection in the wall...see yourself.... 

When you do that, it becomes apparent just 
why any visit to that memorial is so emotional
to so many of us. When I see my reflection in
that wall...I see just why these people died. 
They died for me and you. Fought and died 
in an unpopular war...for us...for the cause of 
our freedom. 

The first names on the wall are Americans 
Dale R. Buis and Chester R. Ovnard, who 
lost their lives in 1959. The last one, Richard
Vande Geer, died in 1975. For 17 years, 
young men and women fought for freedom. 
Once again, we have people fighting for our 
freedom on foreign soil. 

The people who fight, will do it for us. Some 
have died, some will die...for me and you. 
Jesus died for us too. He was also raised 
from his grave and shed the mantle of death, 
with the promise and gift of eternal life for us. 

The sacrifice of those in uniform is great, His  
 is greater. It comes with promise of Eternal Life  
and redemption. He took away our sins. Let's 
give them up to Him...let's accept the sacrifice 
He made for us...by letting Him into our hearts 

   


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© Steven Green 2003