Honoring the Vietnam Memorial

When history comes to life… 🫡🇺🇸 My son bent down to pick up the weighted-down note. It held the name of the loved one who was written on the replica Vietnam Wall. His little finger traced the words until he found the name among the 58,000 engraved names. For that moment, and through my emotion, he really understood the meaning of the memorial. ❤️ Her handwriting was old, shaky. The soldier’s mom had searched for her sons’s name through tears. And as my son looked for his name, I left tears too. 👉Sometimes a quick ten minute side trip can be the best part of your family road trip. I know this isn’t a popular opinion, but the Vietnam Wall in Washington DC is… ❌Not my favorite DC monument (Yes it could be. But…) It’s way too crowded and busy. It’s difficult to show honor when you’re surrounded by 100s of people in a small walkway. Instead? ✅Find a replica of this Vietnam Wall elsewhere. (Or look at the schedule for The Moving Wall - coming to Georgia in the fall. ) ✅Make your travels meaningful. Then go home and read some good picture books so your kids truly understand. Grown ups. Read The Women by @kristinhannahauthor . It’s the Vietnam education your US history classes never got to. Such good historical fiction. Of note, only eight women’s names are written on the @vietnam_memorial_wall . More were there. That’s why you need to read the book. 😉 . . . . 📸Punta Gorda, Florida; family summer trip 2021 #kristinhannah #whatshouldireadnext @realpureflorida