Michael Sofarelli

I received this book as a gift from a loved one who knows my intense interest in American History. Thumbing through initially, I was taken by the photographs of diverse offerings left at the Wall which immediately brought me back to 1984. I was 12 years old and visiting Washington DC for the first time. My mother had taken my younger brother and I on vacation to see Washington and tour the memorials and sites over spring break. I remember being awestruck by the immense size of the Wall and all of the very small names inscribed there on. I noticed papers, a baseball, and a military medal left at the site and asked why people would do this, when anyone could easily take them home as souvenirs. My mother did not respond and said cheerfully that we had to search and find a name. After consulting the guide, the race was on between my brother and I to see who could find it first. We arrived at the same time to a section of the Wall and found "BERNARD GEORGE OLIVER JR PFC MARINE CORPS WILLSBORO NY 5/25/1950-4/21/1969" chiseled in block letters on the cold granite surface. My mother explained that Bernie had been the older brother of her best friend and had been killed in action when he stepped on a landmine. Her demeanor changed and I understood why we were at this memorial. I was ashamed that I had thought someone could take the mementos and that I had played a game to find the name of a 19 year old man, who I had never met, but who had been important to my mother and who had died serving his country. This was one of the most somber and revelatory experiences of my life.
I would use this book in a high school history class while discussing the Vietnam War and purposely before taking a class trip to Washington DC. I would have the students each randomly open to a page and read what they found to recognize the emotion felt by those who lost friends and loved ones. I would have them read to individually instill an understanding and respect prior to visiting this important memorial dedicated to those who gave their lives in service for our country.… (altro)