Tears for the Military?

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This is a report sent to me by a friend in Arizona. He lost his brother as a result of the Vietnam War... I just wanted to share it with everybody, as I feel that people outside America, don't really understand the effects this war had on the American population... "We had a very unexpected & special visitor show up to see his brothers' Quilt block while we were in Orland Park. Most of time I have a pretty good idea of who we might be seeing or meeting on our trips with The Quilts but this time I was so surprised when Ed Littell introduced himself that I was speechless! It seemed that Ed was just as surprised as we were... Ed lives in Arizona but happened to be at a convention in Chicago on business when he got a message from his sister in law that we were nearby with The Quilts. Well, it turned out that Ed didn't get a lot of business done at the convention because it meant more to spend some time with us & The Quilts over the weekend, reflecting upon the memory of his brother Stephen. Although I've never met any of Stephen Littell's family in person before, I've always had a sense of personal attachment to this particular piece... Stephens' block...mainly because I know a lot of the history & personal story behind it. I've been in contact with Stephen Littell's widow Barb for quite some time now & she has been a very good friend to me since we lost our founder, Jennie LeFevre in 2004. Barb has given me a source of strength & purpose to carry on Jennie's work. As the weekend progressed Ed Littell, Henry & I got to share a lot of hugs along with many tears reflecting upon Stephens' battle with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma caused from his Agent Orange exposure. The surprise of meeting & spending time with Ed was indeed an honor. However, there is one moment that absolutely broke my heart & I have made a promise to myself that I must try to work on a solution in the future... During closing ceremonies on the last night of the event they held a Candlelight Vigil where the family members of Veterans lost during Vietnam proceeded to The Wall with a candle which was left there in recognition of their loved one...as Ed stood beside me that night I could feel his heart breaking as he felt he should be doing the same for his brother. Ed left my side & went to stand inside by the Quilt that his brothers block is on. I know how sacred The Wall is to all of us but I believe in my heart that Ed Littell should have been among those recognizing there loved one that night..... Even though Stephen Littell came home from Vietnam he also died as a direct result of his tour of duty there...." This touched my heart, and affored my tears... so, as a tribute to all those who lost near and dear ones in, or as a result of this war. Indeed any war reaps these results, and it pains me to think about them. Please, the powers that be, let them end!