{{{Hug a Vet Today}}}

Here are a couple of pictures to remind you why you should {{{Hug a Vet}}} today.

As you approach the Vietnam Veterans Memorial it looks pretty small and unimpressive. Don't be fooled by the layout of the ground. Those center panels are over ten feet tall and the entire memorial is covered with 58,261 names of the men and women killed or missing in action.

There are many memorials in Washington, DC, but in my opinion, none of them can evoke the emotion you feel when you visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. During Rolling Thunder, I have seen three hundred pound, tattoo covered bikers crying while remembering a fallen friend. You can't visit the wall and walk away unaffected.

You frequently see people touching an engraving on the wall. There is a connection there somewhere, a relative, friend, parent or child. 

Many people leave items at the base of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Family, friends, and fellow vets, leave flowers, notes, pictures and sometimes a very personal item. Very often you'll find a pair of empty boots, and it's heartbreaking to see. There is just something about an empty pair of jungle boots left for a dead or missing comrade that is so intense in its message.

A simple message at the Korean War Memorial that is especially poignant today, Veterans Day.

The soldiers of the "Forgotten War." Over 54,000 American soldiers gave the ultimate sacrifice in Korea, proving that Freedom is not Free.

The World War II Memorial was late in coming to honor those who served in the war to end all wars. Many WWII veterans died before it was built, including my father.

The proud veterans of WWII still hold their heads up high.

Each star on the wall accounts for one hundred American men and women, missing or killed in action during WWII. There are four thousand stars.

The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Guarded 24/7 by the Honor Guard at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

Feel free to use any pictures in this post.