Memorial Day Story: Karen's Virtual Vietnam Wall Story

I wanted to write a more about my sister Karen. Those of you who have Viet Nam Veterans in your family, or lost loved ones in that infamous war will appreciate this story. This story is in heartfelt tribute to all United States Military Veterans.

FIRST, A LITTLE MORE ABOUT KAREN
My sister Karen was honored in the 1990s as one of the top 3 teachers in Georgia (including DeKalb County which is one of the largest school districts in the US).Karen teaches troubled children and students who will most likely fall through the cracks in spite of her diligent efforts. She never gives up on them and helps them as much as she possibly can. She even made unrequired home visits to some pretty rough neighborhoods.

When Karen's students were interviewed about her expertise, they reported such things as "She gives us clean t-shirts when we get dirty"; "She always has something for us in the locker"; "She laughs a lot"; "She makes us laugh";"She visited my family";"She wrote to my brother in jail"; "She listens to us".Many of these students, Karen fears, didn't survive the tough street life of Atlanta.

These beloved students didn't speak one word of her great intellect and academic accomplishments--but all about that humanistic side that must set great teachers apart. Karen uses personal experience to show how history touches us all.She involves her students in plays, visits, role plays and other interesting activities to teach them history. I say all this so you will know the type of person who told this story:

While teaching a class about the Viet Nam War in spring 2004, Karen took her class online to the "virtual Vietnam War Memorial Wall".She explained how the war affected her and that she had lost at least two friends in that war. At the virtual wall, you can see the names of the soldiers who gve their lives and leave messages at the virtual wall,just like peole do at the real wall.

Karen decided to leave a message in honor of a college classmate, Bobby.
"I knew Bobby in college at Morehead State University in Kentucky. Bobby always helped me with my books and helped me get to classes on time when I was lingering to flirt with my future husband, Tom. I'm sad that Bobby isn't able to enjoy beign a grandparent like we are. ...." and more.

In a few days, Karen got an email note from another Vietnam Veteran, let's call him Joe.

"Mrs. O'Rourke, Thank you so much for writing. I was with Bobby when he died, and for thirty years, I've been wanting to find someone to tell the story to." ..and Joe told the story of his dying buddy.

Then in a few days, a letter from a young woman, Susan.

"Mrs. O' Rourke. Thank you so much for posting a message. I never knew my father. My mother was pregnant with me when he left for Vietnam and she never told him. I looked for him for 29 years. Finally, I found his mother and she was so happy to know Bobby had a child. But, I don't know much about his life.Can you tell me anything else about my Daddy?"

So Karen told Susan some college stories about Bobby, and added more personal elements that would make Bobby's daughter and mother feel good.

Bobby's mother was so happy, Susan said, she copied and carries the emails with her and shows them to everyone in town with such pride.

The webmaster for the Virtual Wall, then wrote Karen thanking her for enabling these vital connections to be made.He wished more people would take the time, because the smallest message. Bobby's daughter then became the official connection for her father and more messages came in.

Another young woman, Kay, wrote that her father had been Bobby's high school coach. When the word of Bobby's death came, her father ran outside and cried like a baby. Seems that, unbeknownst to her, Bobby had promised the father to look out for Kay while she was at Morehead University. Bobby's daughter was so proud of him!

I think Karen triggered a series of events that allowed all these peices to come together and fill in the blanks for a family who never forgot Bobby. Bobby's mother was able to have a new surge of joy in having her son acknowledged. The grandson Bobby never knew now has stories of his grandfather that would have never happened if Karen hadn't taken her students to the Virtual Wall and told her small, humanistic story.

Karen, forgive me if I haven't told this accurately, but I believe it captures the essence of the story you told me, Rod, Helen, Elton, and Gordie last Memorial Day as we sat on the beach in Sarasota. We all agreed the story was a most appropriate way to honor our vets that memorial day.

I still think all the key players should be on the Oprah show! It would be a nice reunion, wouldn't it!