Hi All! My husband is a veteran of the Vietnam conflict, having been "selected" a few years out of high school in the mid-'60's. He doesn't talk much about his participation, but I know this has affected his life and attitudes sometimes in surprising ways. He did his duty & served - which many young Americans at the time neglected to do. This was a significant conflict, one which tore at the heart of our nation as had not been experienced since the Civil War. We continue to honor the veterans of this militaty action to help them bring closure to the effects of their experiences during their service to our country. We must always remember that we *continue* to have our freedoms due to the participation of these many people who served our country, too many of them giving the ultimate sacrifice. Saturday a Vietnam Memorial was dedicated in Lebanon PA - it's a beautiful monument to honor the 44 young men from our county who gave their lives in Vietnam. The service was from the hearts of many - and the monument has a "heart, also (a purple heart has been placed within the casting). Even with the damp & chilly weather of the day (reminiscent of the dedication of The Wall in Washington DC quite a few years back, there were spots on the bottom of my feet I could not feel for a while!!) there were easily a few hundred people there. The committee had a three-fold goal, which has now been completed: in 1995 the Vietnam Veteran's Moving Wall visited Lebanon for 7 days; many books about the conflict have been placed in the high school libraries to help young people understand this military action; and the Memorial has been dedicated. Project Welcome Home has finished its contribution to the community - and it is a job "well-done"! Thank you to *all* of our veterans - your task at times was not an easy one. We cannot "see" the actions you were involved in through your eyes, ears or emotions......but we want you to know how much you are loved and appreciated for your participation in the armed services for our country. In honor of all who gave the ultimate sacrifice: "Not for fame or reward. Not for place or for rank. Not lured by ambition or goaded by necessity. But in simple obedience to duty as they understood it. These men suffered all, sacrificed all, dared all......and died." Thank you and may God bless each of you and your families! -Linnea ==== PENNA-DUTCH Mailing List ==== New? Looking for a quick connection? Visit the surnames list associated with this mail list at http://members.aol.com/PennaDutch/pdlsurnames.html