Thanks, Tom. Amen to all you said.

It's a terrible and wonderful place to be. My first visit, 2 October 84, was absolutely unreal- not traumatic for me in the truest sense, but oh, so incredibly intense in the magnitude of all the loss. That day was the first that I KNEW my friend Dan was really there, since 7 October 1968.

So many fine young people...

Each visit has mellowed me out more than the last, but the emotions run very deep. The postings HERE
frequently bring tears and anguish, and take me back to my first day there.

I'm just thankful we have that place, but very sad for those who can't approach the Wall. I know we've all seen those who go, but can't get close to it. And more and more I talk with people about the Wall, and they tell me they can't even muster the courage to get anywhere close to it, but most don't have that "thousand yard stare".

See you there again soon, Brother Tom.

And thanks also to Padre Kilpatrick- I know we all get the blackass- I saw and experienced nothing like most of "us" (YOU Bros), but there's still a very deep, vengeful helplessness, and it's the love, understanding and compassion of Brothers like all of YOU who help to deal with it.

My deepest thanks to all of You.

Lump