Never Forgotten

My mom and dad went on a trip to Washington DC this past week with my aunt and uncle.  They had a great time!

 This is dad's 6th time to make the trip.  We went several times while my brother and I lived at home.  I have never considered myself a history buff but I have to say that DC is an amazing place to visit.  So much to see and do. 

 Certainly a place that makes you proud to be an american.  

I vividly remember always visiting the Vietnam Memorial.  Dad would always search for the name of his childhood friend who, sadly, lost his life in the war.  I remember I was always  brought to tears even as a young girl as I would watch my grown father touch the name of his friend with tears in his eyes .  Makes me cry to this day.  Mom took this picture on their trip.  She said dad walked away and said 

"it's just so sad that Billy never got to have a family"....

WILLIAM JOHNSON FRANKLIN

LCPL - E3 - Marine Corps - Regular Length of service 1 years His tour began on Jan 26, 1970 Casualty was on Sep 16, 1970 In QUANG NAM, SOUTH VIETNAM HOSTILE, GROUND CASUALTY MULTIPLE FRAGMENTATION WOUNDS Body was recovered  (above information found on vietnam veterans memorial website)

All those soldiers, they belong to someone.  

They are someone's friend...

someone's mommy...

someone's daddy...

someone's brother...

someone's sister...

someone's daughter...

someone's son...

They all belong to someone.  

This isn't something that I learned from a textbook or that I was taught during history class.  This was a lesson that a young girl learned while watching her father cry at the sight of his friends name on a memorial wall...

because he lost his friend...

who hasn't been forgotten!

Thank you to all who serve.