Snow Plow News The Virtual Wall: the Vietnam Veterans tribute web page.

The above is from Tom's trip to the Vietnam Memorial Site at California's State Capital in Sacramento. Shortly after the site was complete.

May 2006
    I wrote the little poem below if only to image what it would be like to be in his shoes, Tom's that is. I come from a military influenced background. Both of my Grandfathers served in WWII and so did two of my uncles.One of my grandfathers flew "hump" (the himilayas) during his tour, starred in some base theatre plays such as the "Man Who Came To Dinner" he was the man that came to dinner. That play was writing by two gent by the names of Kaufman and Hart. Many years later, my senior year in high school, I did a play by the same writer called "You Can't Take It With You." I embraced the role of the Russian ballet teacher, which was very comical. He later went on to play in handball touneys in Karachi, India. He was very good at it and won some trophys, my Dad has one at home. Fortunately my Dad also has several pictures from his time served. So that we do have some kind of record of the places he's been.
    My other grandfather spent some time around Germany and he drew pictures of the ports he had sailed to, and he did this from memory. We, the majority of the family, did not know about this "sketch book" that my Grandfather ha done unitl he was very ill and then died, unfortunately. My grandmother has a fabulous talent for tucking things away safe and sound. And, unbeknownst to anyone.
    My Dad just barely missed the Vietnam draft and did not have to go. I was never as influenced personally by veterans or had as much curiosity about what services are available to those who served or what they endured to be entitled to those services - until I became a part of this family. My husband Matt, is a veteran of the Persian Gulf War, and Tom is a Vietnam War veteran as many of you know. Matt attends the VA hospital for regular care, but it was me who had to kick him in the butt and make him go get back into the system. He ws out of it for 18 months and when he went back they said "it is a good thing that you can in when you did, you're a mess." Last year I donated to the DAV, that is something that I never would have thought of doing before.
    Tom has been cleaning up the "back shop" which has been in disarray since the big move January 1, 2004. We are still finding and going through things that were awol. That is when he found these photos. He sayed that he sent $100 a month to the construction of the monumet every month until it was complete. And when it was ready for the world - in time, he was ready to see it.

Thanks, Again to all who serve.
Keri Edgman Manning

Spot Of Mind

Of all the things I can remember
There are ome things I can not speak of.
All I can do is share with you these images.
I recorded them so long ago.
Only now are they ready to show.
It was a poetic journey,
Not one that I have taken just once,
But many times before.
I know what it's like to sleep a nightmare,
And live it too.
When the rest of you may dream.
It is nice to be here,
Back here, home as it seems.

-Keri Edgman Manning

Lest We Not Forget
Our Fallen Heros

Thank You! to all vets and there families. My first memories of Vietnam began in 1965 when my uncle went to Vietnam.

I remember the day he came home in late `65. I was playing in my backyard and I faintly heard what I thought was someone whistling the Marine Corps Hymn. I stopped what I was doing and listened closely and then I thought that has to be my uncle. I ran to the front of the house and down to the street I knew it had to be my uncle! When I could finally see him up the street, I started running, man was I glad to see him!

He went back to Vietnam and I didn`t see him again until the winter of 1968. I am glad my uncle came home from 2 tours and I know to this day Vietnam haunts him and in a way it haunts me. I have cried and prayed for all vets and their families since 1965 when I was 9 years old and probably always will.

God bless them all.

I was looking for plow parts and found your site and the link to the virtual wall I just sent a hyperlink to all the people I know online. I did not know about the virtual wall until now. Thank You!

I feel I need to send this soon before I get booted but there is so much more to say and so much more I feel but thats about it for now. To all those that have served and their families.

Thank You sincerely,
Daniel Heavin

Dear Craig and Daniel

This note is in addition to my husbands reply. Thank you, for your kind letters. I wanted you to know, as my husband wrote his replies, he was in tears. We honor all the people who lived, fought, and died in Vietnam. I think that Tom feels guilty every day he made it home, while 58,000 of his brothers did not. He spent 400 days in vietnam, and part of him will never return.

I know if he was called today, to serve his country, he would go without question or hesitation. I wish more people like you, would take the time to open their hearts, to welcome the boys who fought in Vietnam home. Thank you from the bottom of my heart

Beth Edgman (wife of a true hero)

Sir

Hats off to you for your featured link to the virtual wall on your web site.

I never knew that such a thing existed.

I feel a close kinship with vets of that era as my older brother served with the USMC at Da Nang. Thankfully he returned to us whole and in good shape. The draft and the war ended about 6 months before I became of age so I was never directly involved although I did witness firsthand the turmoil and anguish the war caused in the US.

I have often felt guilt over the fact that others went, served and died while I did not. So in case no one ever told you sir, thank you for your service to the USA and thank you for your efforts at making certain that we never forget.

Craig Thornto

Editor's Reply...

Thank you for your kind words.

However, it is to our 58,00 dead brothers listed on the wall, the uncounted thousands (to whom the turmoil of that war has left homeless), the ones who are rotting away in our prisons (for being confused, and not knowing "how to come home"), the leg less Vets clearing snow from our monuments (as to survive on their meager V.A. disability checks) and to all the others who have lost their lives, their families, their freedom, or their souls in, or because of that war; who deserve our and America's thanks.

God bless them every one.

We are happy to provide a link to the "Virtual Wall". It is a small thing to do for those who gave so much.

A U.S.Army Sergeant
Zone Two R.V.N. 1968 to 1970