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pat_k

(14,574 posts)
16. I've been crying on and off all day.
Tue May 26, 2026, 01:31 AM
May 26

Grief is a messy soup today.

The 58,318 honored on the The Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Loss of more than 50 million allied forces and civilians in WWII, including about 420,000 Americans.

Loss of the national soul I believed our part of the alliance against fascism in WWII was all about. (May we yet redeem ourselves)

Personal losses that have nothing to do with war. DUer's like elleng and William Rivers Pitt, dear friends Karyn Altman (KaryinMiami) and Andy Stephenson, and the love of my life Dusty Kiegel (Senator)

Recommendations

3 members have recommended this reply (displayed in chronological order):

❤️ littlemissmartypants May 25 #1
Too many on that wall Attilatheblond May 25 #2
"" AllaN01Bear May 25 #3
I'm sorry, Ptah. LuckyCharms May 25 #4
Thank you, LuckyCharms. Ptah May 25 #10
May their spirits live in peace. MLAA May 25 #5
I'm sorry, Ptah Niagara May 25 #6
Thank you, Niagara Ptah May 25 #12
Cold comfort. calimary May 25 #7
I will never forget my first visit to the wall. pat_k May 25 #8
I had a similar experience leftieNanner May 25 #13
OMG. You found the words: "It felt like the grief came from the pit of my soul." pat_k May 26 #15
A shame these guys died so young and missed so much life 70sEraVet May 25 #9
Tough memories, Ptah. Permanut May 25 #11
The phrase "the gift of tears" came to mind, pat_k and leftieNanner. summer_in_TX May 26 #14
I've been crying on and off all day. pat_k May 26 #16
... summer_in_TX May 27 #22
I have family and friends on that wall. (n/t) OldBaldy1701E May 26 #17
This photo Danascot May 26 #18
4NAUGHT2? czarjak May 26 #21
For the life of me popsdenver May 26 #19
I despair of the human race ever learning that killing each other is NOT a solution... 3catwoman3 May 26 #20
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