A Garden of Solace

In the hills above Portland, Oregon there is a garden.

It is a place to remember;

a place to honor those who were lost;

a place to find comfort.

It is the Oregon Vietnam Living Memorial.

 We enter the garden...

walking the brick pathway which leads inward

and then upward.

This was our era--

my husband's and I.

 He knows the story much better than I;

he was part of the story...

though he served in the States and not overseas as so many of our native sons did.

Many have left flowers--

a beautiful and moving symbol of life.

The pools fountain is peaceful--

its melody soothing and refreshing to those who visit here.

 This Memorial Day the garden is filled with the beauty of blooms

and the beauty of the views before you

(Mt. Hood wasn't visible on this mostly cloudy day)

 I pause again at the first memorial.

How could I not know when this conflict,

that affected the lives of so many began?

(the war ran from 1959-1976)

We pause at each of the granite memorials

to read the inscriptions on them:

little glimpses into life at that time

and over there.

And the names of those who never came home--

to this beautiful land of evergreens, snow capped mountains and wild surf;

who never came home to the ones they loved.

War takes a large, priceless toll...

let us remember to pray for peace...

both for our nation

and others.  

Let us pray for and remember the families

who have sacrificed so much during our nation's history...

let us never forget their pain;

let us pray for them to find comfort

and

peace.

Let us remember those who have fallen;

those who are left with wounds--

seen and unseen.

Let us never forget... 

for these are our sons and daughters;

our fathers and mothers;

our aunts, uncles, brothers, sisters, friends;

our fellow countrymen.

"So long as we are not forgotten we do not die..."

Dona nobis pacem.

Dedicated to the memory of those whose names are inscribed in this garden

and in the hearts of those who loved them.

Dedicated to the memory of ALL of our fallen and wounded warriors.

May God surround you with His peace and love.

Aimee

Notes:

The Vietnam Living Memorial is located in Washington Park,

not far from the Oregon Zoo, Children's Museum and the World Forestry Center.

Parking is available near the Memorial.

All photos taken Memorial Day 2012.