‘On Track to the Wall’ is a healing experience
The Vietnam War took place more than 50 years ago, yet it still lives within the consciousness of many Americans, as if it happened only yesterday.
That conflict occurred in a turbulent time in our American history, a time that caused many to question our own country and its elected officials. It also caused a great divide among our people in many ways.
Many citizens chose to protest the war. Some chose to take their frustrations out on the government. Some took it out on those who served. Others supported the men and women who served during the war, but still doubted our government’s role in a place called Vietnam, halfway around the world.
Through it all, our Vietnam veterans took the brunt of much of the negativity surrounding the war. Many of our Vietnam War veterans still live daily with the pain from their unique experiences. Like a shadow that never fades, the memories of the Vietnam War experience follow them everywhere. Every step a burden, every breath a reminder of the people they left behind. Some Vietnam veterans do deal with the memories better than others, but we are well past the appropriate moment in which we should have healed as a country and found ways to help those veterans that served.
Veterans Assisting Veterans (VAV), an organization I volunteer for, has an idea to help those who served heal. The idea has inspired other veterans’ organizations like Greater Lowellbased
Hidden Battles to join the cause. It’s a mission, conceptualized and inspired by the honor flights that serve World War II veterans by winging them down to Washington D.C. to see the World War II Memorial.
However, this idea in support of Vietnam veterans is a bit different.
Late last year, VAV launched a campaign named “On Track to the Wall,” which looks to bring 50 Vietnam veterans to the Vietnam War Memorial, “The Wall,” in Washington, D.C.
Vietnam veterans who haven’t seen “The Wall” will take priority, but the mission is to send 50 applicants down to Washington, D.C, on an Amtrak train from Boston. Veterans would stay overnight and visit “The Wall,” then the White House the next day and wake up the following morning to come back home. Organizers anticipate this experience will cost approximately $1,000 per veteran.
VAV, with the help of the public and other veterans’ organizations, will be holding fundraisers throughout 2020, with a goal of launching the trip to
D.C. this September. So far VAV has raised $22,000. The mission is to raise $50,000 or more, with help from the public, local businesses and you, the reader.
This mission to support our Vietnam veterans is designed to help our heroes heal. It is a truly healing experience. A trip with their brothers and sisters together, sitting on a train and seeing part of the country they helped defend, will serve them well.
Visiting and placing their hands over names of their fallen comrades on “The Wall,” together. Experiencing, talking, feeling and healing, together. It’s what their fellow veterans from other conflicts feel they owe them, together. And what they deserve at a minimum and we can accomplish, together.
Maybe you’re reading this column and you protested the war? Perhaps you saw a friend or family member serve? You want to help. So how can you help? Donate. Ask others you know to donate. Visit the VAV Facebook page at www.facebook.com/VeteransAssistingVeterans and donate to the GoFundMe page link. Or consider writing a check for any amount. VAV, P.O. Box 274, Dracut, MA 01826. VAV’s nonprofit 501C3 Tax-ID number is 45-5431821.