Five months, 22 days and 3,400+ miles later: It was that long ago that we started this trek across our Nation. It has been like a snow ball rolling down a hill, picking up more followers, supporters and speed as we went… Well followers and supporters anyway! 😉
Remembering places like Rugby, North Dakota; Being the geographical center of North America… Was this the halfway point? But as it would turn out, the midpoint of the journey would come somewhere in between Floodwater and Duluth Minnesota.
Then somewhere along the way, we transitioned from counting the miles that were completed to counting the miles that were left. Today that latter number is 39. Yes, only 39 miles left, to get to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC.
Tonight finds us in northern Virginia. Just down the road from the front gate to the Marine Corps Base at Quantico, “The Crossroads of the Marine Corps!” There is something about being surrounded by Marines. There is simply no other feeling like it, especially for this old Jar Head. Come to think of it, we might wonder if our enemies have felt the same way? But nevertheless we know that we are in good company in this part of our Country.
I suspect that there is only one day and about 10 miles left of walking to do. That day will be in the middle of next week, 25 September 2013, when all of us; those that have followed, supported, and contributed to this project make the crossing of the Potomac River together either physically or in spirit. Unlike George Washington however, we will use the Arlington Memorial Bridge when we make that final crossing from Virginia into Washington DC and on to the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial.
For the time being, I will remain here in Quantico until 24 September when Linda, my wife, will join me once again. We remember when we, along with friends, met in Kalispell, Montana 27 days into the walk and then again at 3 months, when we found each other again in Independence, Wisconsin. Now we’re nearly at the 6 month mark and we will once again reunite and complete this journey together as we visit with old friends whose memories and names are now etchings on slabs of granite across the river from Arlington National Cemetery where many call home this day. It is an honor and a privilege to be back among good and faithful family, friends and warriors….
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“If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance when you are leaving for the places that they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always. Take what lesson they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane, take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind.”
Major Michael Davis O’Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed as KIA February 7, 1978
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~Semper Fi~
