"Sharing can be a way of healing. Grief and loss can isolate,
anger even alienate. Shared with others, emotions unite
as we see we aren't alone. We realize others weep with us."
~Susan Wittig Albert

Through our writing, we walk out of the darkness into the light
together, one small step at a time, recording history, educating
America, and we are healing.
~CJ/Todd Dierdorff



Wednesday, June 11, 2014

More Than a Name on a Wall

Remembering at The Wall


More Than a Name on a Wall  
[The Statler Brothers]

I saw her from a distance
As she walked up to the wall
in her hand she held some flowers
as her tears began to fall

and she took out pen and paper
as to trace her memories
and she looked up to heaven
and the words she said were these... 

She said, "Lord my boy was special, 
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
just one more time you see

All I have are the memories
and the moments to recall
So Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall ..." 

She said, "He really missed the family
and being home on Christmas day
and he died for God and Country
in a place so far away 

I remember just a little boy
playing war since he was three
But Lord this time I know, 
He's not coming home to me." 

And she said, "Lord my boy was special, 
and he meant so much to me
and Oh I'd love to see him
But I know it just can't be

So I thank you for my memories
and the moments to recall
But Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall ... 

Lord could you tell him,
He's more than a name on a wall ..."




 "More Than a Name on a Wall" is a song written by Jimmy Fortune and John Rimel, and recorded by American country music group The Statler Brothers. It was released in April 1989 as the third single from their Greatest Hits album.

The song is about a mother visiting The Vietnam Wall to see her son's name.  It peaked at number 6 on the Billboard Hot Country Singles chart.


Other Blog Posts about The Wall:

Honoring The Wall
The Healing
Special Salute to Memorial Day
"Leavings at The Wall"



“I am only one, but I am one. I can't do everything, but I can do something. The something I ought to do, I can do, and by the grace of God, I will.” ~Everett Hale

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4 comments:

  1. The vision of seeing a scenario as depicted is one reason why I have as yet to see the "Wall". I envision being there - amidst the parent(s) - wives - children - of those names on the Wall paying homage to their departed loved ones.

    I can handle the "Wall" - I could not handle the surrounding emotions emitted by others around me.

    May they ALL rest in peace - they shall always be more to me than just "Names On The Wall".

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  2. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home. Thank you, too, for your comments. I understand how that kind of situation could be difficult for you.

    With all due respect, your visiting The Wall could be so healing, not only for you, but for the very people you mentioned: the parents, wives, and children of the names on The Wall who are paying homage to their departed loved ones, especially if you wear something that lets them know you are a Vietnam veteran.

    The last time they saw their loved one, he was in uniform. You would represent the last vision they had of him. You wouldn't have to say a word, only be there for them. It would make all the difference in the world to them, but it would be healing for you, as well, knowing you had made a difference ...

    Healing comes from many directions ...

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  3. Every one of the more than 58,000 names on the Wall is special to someone - just like the thousands of crosses in Normandy. Each of them represents a person - son, brother, husband, friend - who was loved and valued and is missed every day. My best friend is there. while I have always thought about him alot, I think about him even more now than when I was younger. I think it saddens me more now because as time goes by and I have more life experiences, I am more acutely aware of how much life was robbed from him. I'm sure someone feels the same aching inside for every person on that Wall. They be gone but they are eternal in our memories.

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  4. That's so true, Del. The Wall and all the lives it represents is very powerful. I can't help but think about what each of them gave up to preserve the freedoms we enjoy every day and they will never be able to. Thank you so much for taking the time to comment.

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