Unless someone has served in combat to see friends die around them, I don't really think they could truly grasp the impact a memorial to that conflict has on the men and women who actually went through it. So, let me just say that my trip to the Wall was extremely intense, personal, and difficult. I don't think I could find the words to explain it other than it was absolutely neccessary that I went to experience it by myself and in person.
On another note, I have to share something my wife will remind me about for years. Y'see, I hate airports, crowds, lines and such. I tried to shorten my experience in the security phase of the airport screening process by leaving my house/car keys in my regular luggage. Didn't like taking them in and out of my pockets for the metal detectors, and I didn't want to take the mini knife off the ring to leave it somewhere where it may get lost. Wouldn't want to lose my keys, either.
So, we get back to Fresno and you guessed it. No luggage - no keys. It probably got sent to Montana for all I know. That means there is no way to get into my truck to drive home. We took a $31 trip in an odiferous taxi that rattled and shook for the entire 12 miles or so. Oh, but still no keys. I alert my neighbors that I would be making noise at 10PM to get into my house. My house with a very good alarm system on it. Double pane windows are very expensive these days, so I decided to go through the side garage door. I got a hammer from my shed in the back yard, punched 4 holes in the shape of a trapezoid through the door, and cut between them with a pruning saw to get inside. From there I was able to open the garage door for a wife who is still reminding me how I screwed up. How special. From that point, I was able to retrieve the extra set of house keys and my alarm remote to get into the house.
We drove to the airport the next morning to retrieve my truck with the extra set of keys that I had. On the way there, I get to listen to the I-can't-believe-you-put-the-keys-in-the-luggage story again. :rant: The wife drove home and I drove to Lowe's to buy a door for the garage. I spent the next 4 hours changing it over. At least I got to watch my college team (Fresno State) win a game against San Jose State. :)
