Kevin stayed too. We're working on some landscaping here, while we prepare for church services in Centreville, VA this weekend and Manassas next weekend. The opportunities at the Wall were so powerful this year. Russ met this man at the entry path, offered to escort him to the Wall, and the man ended up spending a great deal of time because he had several names he had to find rubbings for family members. It was powerful, and emotional. I snapped a few pictures and posted them with his permission as it is also a very private time. God is so faithful to send just the right person when we need an arm around the shoulder.
We both needed that support our first trip to the Wall - it's so piercing, you actually feel the power of the black granite penetrating your heart. Every name represents a young man who was never able to watch his children grow, represents unborn children, grandchildren and mothers, wives and girlfriends who grieved. Family members who couldn't accept the unpopular war, family and friends who protested, and buddies who survived, only to return and grieve with "survivor's guilt."
You feel it when you gradually approach the wall, as it starts tiny with the first name and begins to increase in height as you step down the graded path. You don't know, should I step on the bricks, should I touch the wall, should I leave this item I've carried across country, do these items deface the memorial or add to it, do I keep walking or pause, should I let people pass me or stay in the flow of tourists, do they think I'm crazy or do they have any idea? So many questions, the heart says, "Stay, Pause, Remember." Look around, there, alone, lay a hand on that arm, "Are you Okay?"
Are you Okay?
Are you Okay?
Am I Okay? Wow, I felt faint. It was probably my 11th or 12th visit to the Wall, but I was not Okay. All the work and planning that went into the 2011 Run For The Wall sort of flooded over me, and the reward was certainly at the Wall. I saw a former Board Member walking with a new rider, stopping looking for a name on the Wall. I was reminded that it is ALL ABOUT THE NEW GUY (FNG) at this point, and it WAS ALL WORTH IT!!
Duane Gryder has accident:
Duane had another rider with him, but in front of him on another bike. He was in Arkansas on the way to Texas after leaving Washington D.C., when his back tire blew out. The rider with him saw him flying through the air. He landed and was knocked unconscious. The first thing he remembers is his friend standing over him.
He will be fine, but he has a broken clavicle and is in a lot of pain.
We're so thankful he's going to be fine.
Duane and his wife are Motorcycle Chaplains like my husband and I.
Appreciate prayers going up for them as he heals and the as the bills start coming in.
