WASHINGTON — One by one, the names of those who died in the Vietnam War were read at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall.
From 5 a.m. to midnight for several days, close to 2,000 volunteers are reading more than 55,000 names on the wall. Many of those reading are family members of fallen soldiers and Vietnam veterans themselves, here to honor the ones who never came home.
“Probably the greatest honor I have ever had, is to be able to be here and stand up there and read my brother’s name,” said Terry Williams, of San Antonio, Texas, who came to remember his brother.
It will take more than three days, reading 18 hours a day, to get through the list of names on the wall, said Jim Knotts, president of Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
“Being able to read the names here in front of this wall, it’s a pretty daunting experience; it’s extremely meaningful for those who knew someone personally on the wall to make sure their sacrifice is not forgotten,” Knotts said.
During events such as this, Knotts said some amazing things happen, including amazing coincidences that volunteers call instances of “wall magic.”
He recalled one such coincidence from the 10-year anniversary of the wall, when a man and woman, who had never met before, struck up a two-hour conversation in line, waiting to read the names on their lists. Knotts said that when the woman went up on the stage, she ended by saying, ” … and my son,” and read a name very familiar to the man who had been standing behind her.
“And the big guy behind her almost fell over, because for more than 25 years, he had been searching for the family of the buddy who died in his arms. And there she was,” Knotts said.
For Vietnam veteran Delano Cummings, of North Carolina, he said he came here to remember his friends who never came home from the war.
“I’m blessed to be standing here right now,” Cummings said.
Aquirrie Hepler, of D.C., was drafted in 1966 and served in the Army’s 1st Cavalry Division. He said, as he walked and remembered those who served with him, he is touched by the respect he and fellow veterans receive at the wall. It’s a stark difference from what was seen at the end of the war, he said.
“Little kids come up to me and want to shake my hand; people tell me, ‘Thank you for your service,’ which gives you chills down your back and brings you to tears almost to talk about it,” Hepler said.
The readings will conclude with a ceremony on the wall at 1 p.m. Saturday, which will feature former Secretary of Defense and Vietnam veteran Chuck Hagel.
