Walking along the Vietnam Memorial one evening, I saw a young couple paying their respects to a person who is listed on the wall. They placed a red rose below the name and reached gently to touch the wall.
About that time, a large tour group was walking briskly down the path. Few, if any, were actually looking at the wall. Some snapped selfies on their phones to prove they were there. Others just hurried by and headed to their waiting bus.
It is so unfortunate these people would leave without understanding the meaning of this memorial. It’s not just a structure. It’s about honoring the people represented by name on the wall.
In their haste, this group missed a perfect example of why this memorial is so important. The young couple was not there just to find a name. They were there to honor someone that will always be a golden memory in their hearts.
