May 22, 2026 - Good Morning! It’s Friday, May 22.
It’s called The Wall. The official name is the Vietnam Memorial. It’s located beside the National Mall, a long V shape, made of black granite, one side pointing to the Lincoln Memorial, the other to the Washington Monument. Created in 1982, it attracts over three million visitors each year.
I have had the privilege, the honor, the blessing of visiting it several times. I love Washington D.C., and I enjoy all the monuments and museums. But the Vietnam Memorial is a singular, unique experience. The other attractions, although commemorating important American events and people, often have a “touristy” feel. But as visitors walk down into The Wall, they grow quiet - as if they were coming into a cathedral. They see the 58,000 names of those who lost their lives in the war, etched into the black granite. And because the surface is polished, they also see a reflection of themselves. It is a special place. It is a sacred place.
This coming Monday, Memorial Day, thousands will visit The Wall, marking the true purpose of the holiday, honoring the fallen. Wherever you may be, take a moment to remember those who, as Abraham Lincoln put it, “gave the last full measure of devotion.”
Meet you back here on Tuesday,
David
cindertex50@yahoo.com
