A journey back

[Harryb]

About 39 years ago we looked like this
http://www.pbase.com/hpb/image/32220431.jpg


I'm the young tadpole giving you his right profile
http://www.pbase.com/hpb/image/32220437.jpg
after we had returned for a bit they gave us this wall
http://www.pbase.com/hpb/image/13018483.jpg

and some nifty statues
http://www.pbase.com/hpb/image/13018462.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/hpb/image/13018495.jpg

after running some Vietnam Vetran outreach offices in Harlem and the South Bronx for five years I stayed away from veteran groups for a long time. Every vet organization that recruited me wanted me to wear some silly hat. Anyhow they have this annual vets reunion down here and some folks asked me to take a few pics.

they have a traveling version of the wall
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933902_CExbU-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933876_GXsSi-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934179_cSFb7-XL.jpg

some displays
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933901_98ySa-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933880_6Qt6M-XL.jpg

a bunch of groups lay wreaths at the wall
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933925_k3nCg-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933989_s7gtG-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934088_AyysM-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934157_42q5s-XL.jpg

various expressions are worn
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934172_dVGzT-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934263_kMfgR-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934254_MULzY-XL.jpg

Whenever I'm at a party or some gathering I can usually pick out another Vietnam vet. We all have this "look".

he asked me not to show his missing arm
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934222_SKhmJ-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934282_QuM3Y-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934311_fLSgv-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934312_cJ3hy-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934330_bFees-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934345_9jSEt-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284933949_2Qbke-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934358_PYMxE-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934375_9wEzA-XL.jpg

some younger folks were there too

he had a really shiny axe
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934007_9AWVE-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934216_C5JyC-XL.jpg

http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934426_ycRCL-XL.jpg

who knows, if they're play their cards right, they might get their own wall too
http://behret.smugmug.com/photos/284934377_3pPk5-XL.jpg

[Ann McRae]

:bow

Powerful stuff, Harry.

I was really struck, visiting DC and area, by the number of active military personel we saw. Heartbreaking, really.

[slpollett]

Very moving collection. Nicely done.

Sherry

[AaronNelson]

Thank You Harry. very nice

[Harryb]

:bow

Powerful stuff, Harry.

I was really struck, visiting DC and area, by the number of active military personel we saw. Heartbreaking, really.

Thanks Ann glad you appreciated it. Heart breakking yes, my son is slated to go back to Iraq/Afghanistan some time next year. :pissed

[Harryb]

Very moving collection. Nicely done.

Sherry

Thank you Sherry

[Dogdots]

Harry you did a wonderful job in your presentation of these photos.

I could feel the emotion in some of your photos.

Thank - you.

[Harryb]

Thank You Harry. very nice

Thanks Aaron and you're welcome.

[Ric Grupe]

What faces! :thumb

You did an outstanding job, Harry.

I'm going to keep my thoughts on the underlying politics that cause these conflicts to myself.

God bless each and everyone of those that served.

Thirty-nine years and fifty pounds ago.

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/285384973_Cin7w-L.jpg

http://rickay.smugmug.com/photos/285384644_KrVxf-L.jpg

USS Saint Paul (heavy cruiser) Flag Ship of COMCRUDESFLOT-9.....Gulf of Tonkin.

[bfjr]

Geez Harry ya gotta grab at me like that

See so many familar faces in your set

Put many to rest, brought some back

82nd Airborne 05H20 ASA (AssHoles Sign Anything) 69 - 71
Didn't know where I was then and still don't.

Benjamin

[Harryb]

Harry you did a wonderful job in your presentation of these photos.

I could feel the emotion in some of your photos.

Thank - you.

Glad you enjoyed it.

[Panther]

Howdy Harry,

Very powerful and moving images, Thanks for Sharing, an Thank You for your service. Sometimes we need a gentle nudge to make sure and remember all those that gave, are giving, and those and their families that gave all.

Please make sure an give your Son our Best and we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and please Thank Him for his Service to keep us Free and Safe.

Kindest Regards,

Craig

[nightspidy]

These pictures were so moving. I love #13. Again, thank you for sharing these amazing photos.

[Harryb]

What faces! :thumb

You did an outstanding job, Harry.

I'm going to keep my thoughts on the underlying politics that cause these conflicts to myself.

God bless each and everyone of those that served.

Thirty-nine years and fifty pounds ago.

USS Saint Paul (heavy cruiser) Flag Ship of COMCRUDESFLOT-9.....Gulf of Tonkin.

Thanks Ric and it was more pounds ago than years ago for me too.

[Harryb]

Geez Harry ya gotta grab at me like that

See so many familar faces in your set

Put many to rest, brought some back

82nd Airborne 05H20 ASA (AssHoles Sign Anything) 69 - 71
Didn't know where I was then and still don't.

Benjamin

It does bring back memories Ben.

[davemj98]

Outstanding and powerful; it moved me.

[Harryb]

Howdy Harry,

Very powerful and moving images, Thanks for Sharing, an Thank You for your service. Sometimes we need a gentle nudge to make sure and remember all those that gave, are giving, and those and their families that gave all.

Please make sure an give your Son our Best and we'll keep him in our thoughts and prayers, and please Thank Him for his Service to keep us Free and Safe.

Kindest Regards,

Craig

Thanks Craig and I'll pass your good wishes onto my son.

[ChrisJ]

It's something I can't imagine... and I really hope my sons won't need to defend our country some day. Thanks for the unique look.

[Lesley Bray]

Very moving message - thank you

[joshhuntnm]

Great shots. I really like the statues in the snow and the close ups.

[Harryb]

These pictures were so moving. I love #13. Again, thank you for sharing these amazing photos.

Thank you very much for those kind words.

[WilliamClark77]

Very powerful and moving stuff. Thanks for posting. This thread really put things in perspective. God bless and Godspeed to our vets!

[Harryb]

Outstanding and powerful; it moved me.

That's one of the best complements I've gotten on my any of my pics, thanks.

[Harryb]

It's something I can't imagine... and I really hope my sons won't need to defend our country some day. Thanks for the unique look.

Thanks Chris and I hope that if we really examine our past experiences and stop glamorizing them it may prevent your sons from repeating our experiences.

[Harryb]

Very moving message - thank you

Thanks for looking and taking the time to comment.

[Harryb]

Great shots. I really like the statues in the snow and the close ups.

Thanks Josh the statue captures were with my old Sony-717

[Qarik]

compelling set. That guy in the wheelchair looks like vet from the revolutioanry war!

[leaforte]

A nice aspect. Thanks for sharing.

[ipduffy]

Harry: Thank you for your service. And thank you, also, for your pictures. Very moving.

[TPBinKC]

Emotional photos, thank you for sharing Harry.

The photo of the wall is beautiful and haunting...

[ian408]

The sight of that wall brings tears to my eyes every time.

Your photograph with it's mostly black and white punctuated by a blue
umbrella and red roses is a pretty powerful one.

[Rhuarc]

Wow Harry! Really amazing stuff. Really liked seeing the pics from back in the day!

Thank you!

[Harryb]

Very powerful and moving stuff. Thanks for posting. This thread really put things in perspective. God bless and Godspeed to our vets!

Thank you William and tthanks for your good wishes for the vets. They need them.

[JavaLover]

Thank you for sharing. Amazing and very moving photos.

Thank you to all that serve, those left behind, those that return changed forever and their families. God bless.

[Harryb]

compelling set. That guy in the wheelchair looks like vet from the revolutioanry war!

Thanks, he was part of the Native American contingent

[Harryb]

A nice aspect. Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for taking the time to comment.

[Harryb]

Harry: Thank you for your service. And thank you, also, for your pictures. Very moving.

Thank you, its alway nice to hear that your images have impact.

[Harryb]

Emotional photos, thank you for sharing Harry.

The photo of the wall is beautiful and haunting...

Thanks, the Wall is a moving subject to capture.

[Harryb]

The sight of that wall brings tears to my eyes every time.

Your photograph with it's mostly black and white punctuated by a blue
umbrella and red roses is a pretty powerful one.

Thanks so much Ian. I will always remember my first visit to the wall. It always has brought tears to my eyes.

[Harryb]

Wow Harry! Really amazing stuff. Really liked seeing the pics from back in the day!

Thank you!

Thank you very much Wendell. It was a good change of pace for me to capture some non-feathered subjects.

[dlplumer]

Very moving and thought provoking Harry. :bow

[ian408]

And on this Veteran's Day (or Remembrance Day), very timely.

Thank you to all veterans for your service.

[Cayuse]

Thank by you for sharing the wonderful and moving photos, it is a great reminder to us all of the sacrifices made by service men and women everywhere.

[pathfinder]

Very moving series Harry.

Veterans truly need to be remembered, and thanked, daily.