BS: Home from DC

Subject: BS: Home from DC
From: Murph10566
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:14 AM

Hi Folks -

    Just returned from our visit down to Washington, DC, where I participated in the Musical Tribute to Vietnam Veterans held on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial last week.   The tribute itself was sparsely attended, due in part to severe windy/cold conditions, and scheduling conflicts.   In spite of these adverse challenges, it was a good and memorable experience for me.

    We were present for the 20th Anniversary Observance at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial this past Monday (The main purpose of our trip).   This was not my first visit to The Wall, so I was prepared, to some degree, for the emotional impact.   I imagine it will always be this way for me, although I felt better for the presence of my wife Patricia, my brother Pat (2 RVN tours) and numerous friends.

    I saluted my Fallen Comrades and those of others not present.   I must admit I've been troubled by some of the related threads lately; I guess I'm still sorting out the various ghosts with their attendant emotions, some of which surfaced in DC, and others which have yet to make themselves known...

    God bless our Veterans -

      Murph

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: katlaughing
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:26 AM

Thank you, Murph. I've been to the Wall and no matter what I thought of the War, there were names I knew on there and its emotional impact was profound. It is good that we remember.

All the best,

kat

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: MMario
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:33 AM

hey Murph - my parents were down there as well - They mentioned seeing musicians ; they may have seen you!

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: mg
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 11:42 AM

Sorry you had to come back to this. Maybe we could set up a private paltalk some day for some people, soon if you or anyone else feels it would be helpful.   Wish I could have been there..hopefully next year. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: Murph10566
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 04:07 PM

Hi again -

May have, MMario - I only performed one song, an original entitled "The Wall", and I later introduced Canadian balladeer John McDermott, who also performed my song, with a few others as well...

Thanks, Kat; it's so important to REMEMBER...

MG - Maybe next year, indeed; and I don't want you to think I'm wringing my hands (or anything else) about these sometimes mean-spirited threads... Clearly there are some who feel they have issues which are best vented here; I can't/won't be bothered by such inflammatory posts...

   Before I lapse into the 'Gospel according to Murph', there were some additional bright musical moments for us during the past week:
   Saw an old friend (Pat Garvey) performing in Old Town Alexandria, VA at a pub called Pat Troy's (Ireland's Own), and sat in for a few numbers with Pat and his partner Fergus Kennedy.   The next evening we all hit Garvey's club in Gaithersburg, MD - Mrs. O'Leary's Pub.   Much music, mirth, victuals and libation... Just the right counter-point for the weekend.

   Out for now - stay well -

    M.

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: DougR
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 10:37 PM

I hope to see the wall some day, Murph. I imagine it must be a very moving experience.

DougR

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: mg
Date: 14 Nov 02 - 10:56 PM

I think the moving walls are every bit as good, sometimes better because of their settings..you're basically on this sidewalk in D.C. and there isn't much privacy. But I have seen some very nice moving walls in parks etc...and they had a lot of support tents etc. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: Fortunato
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 06:42 PM

Well, Murphy, I had a pint and a chat tonight with DennisW. who used be an owner of O'Leary's (and Flanagans) and it's good to see Mary Garvey threading here as well. And so we have many a connection, I'm sure. I've not had the pleasure of meeting Pat and Mary, though I've seen Pat play frequently over the years. I wish I had known you were down. As you may know, I'm in another genre altogether, and despite my distant heritage I leave the Irish to those who are a few hundred years closer; I am closely tied to the Irish music community through many a friend here in DC and many a pint. I love to lift up a haigh harmony with them and I'm looking forward to your return.


Please PM me. cheers and all the best. Chance

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: mg
Date: 15 Nov 02 - 06:44 PM

I should say no relation but I have met Pat Garvey and we talked about the possibility of being distant cousins..don't think we are though. mg

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: Murph10566
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 01:51 PM

Other thoughts related to The Wall...

    DougR - I highly recommend your visit there; although I don't know your current circumstances, it's true that very few Americans of my generation were not touched in some way by the Vietnam Experience.   For me, each visit is a kind of positive renewal, and I've been there several times over the past twenty years...

    This trip, I saw the Vietnam Women's Memorial for the first time - a very dramatic and moving sculpture - a powerful tribute in bronze, so richly deserved by those courageous and selfless Servicewomen...

    Fortunato, we will indeed have to hoist a few upon my return to your territory; congratulations again on your recent great news !

    Stay well,
    M.

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: mmb
Date: 16 Nov 02 - 10:23 PM

There's a Saturday night TV series here in the States called "The District," and tonight was their Veteran's Day episode, with a special focus on Vietnam.

The principal character, a Washington DC police chief, visits the Wall in the closing scene, finds a name, and places his hand on it. And from within the Wall, the images of comrades he lost approach and place their hands up against his.

My father and two uncles were WWII vets (one uncle, wounded at Anzio, spent 44 of his 62 years a paraplegic). I also have a brother and a cousin who are 'Nam vets who returned, I visit the Traveling Wall whenever it is near enough, and while I abhor the thought of war, I respect and honor those who followed what they believed to be their duty.

I also honor and respect those veterans who are among thousands gathered in near-freezing cold and rain at Fort Benning in Columbus, GA, this weekend, adding their presence and their voices to the protest against the School of the Americas.

Pat Humphries is there this year(I hope she did Walls & Windows). Pete and Tao have been there. Odetta joined Pete in a benefit concert for the Movement to close the School two years ago. Perhaps other folk musicians who learn of this annual event may wish to add their presence in some other year. Just check www.soawatch.org, or PM me if you would like additional info.

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: Murph10566
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 11:02 AM

mmb - I know the Image:


"The Wall is many granite sections,
       Solid, cool, and black.
A visitor may pause to touch a Name.
   
It just seemed that, in the dark reflections,
       Hands were reaching back...
As if to greet, and touch, and hold the hands of those who came."
                                                   
                                                    The Wall
                                                    Tim Murphy
                                                       ©   1984

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: mmb
Date: 17 Nov 02 - 07:31 PM

Thank you, Murph.

It is as powerful as it is poignant.   M.

Subject: RE: BS: Home from DC
From: pattyClink
Date: 18 Nov 02 - 02:55 PM

A moving replica came to our town. I was prepared for it to be just that, a replica. Instead I found out it was a mighty powerful thing. I don't believe in ESP, auras, woo-woo stuff etc. But I was practically knocked over by the spiritual energy pouring off that place. Gripping. I can't imagine how it is for those who were there, I don't know how you approach it and stay sane.

Glad you made the trip, Murph. You honored those who earned it whether CNN showed up or not.