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A Country, A Wall, A Healing and a Family by Jim Bailey (1962-2018) |
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I was born to late for the Vietnam War. I only remember watching TV and
the images of men fighting and dying. Several years ago, my wife and I visited Washington,
DC and stopped at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which has become known as the
WALL. I did not look for a particular name, but just stood and was amazed that that
many people had died fighting for a cause. Early in August, 2003, a member of the Rhode Island Genweb page posted a link to the Memorial Wall web page. I typed in the word Dodge, and unfortunately, seven names appeared on the screen. They ranged in age from 19 to 43, from the East coast and the West coast, from enlisted man to senior officer. I did not know any of these men, and outside of possibly sharing a common ancestor somewhere along the line, would never know there family. Yet, as with all memorials, when you share the littlest part with someone, you feel that you were a part of the sacrifice, Dodge family members have always gone to war. From Bunker Hill, to Fredericksburg, to Thua Thien to the Persian Gulf. Some have come home, others have not. I would like to mention the seven men whose names are listed on the Wall, and what little I do know about them. If any Association member has any other information on these individual heros please contact me RONALD WAYNE DODGENote: These men are also memorialized in our military area for Vietnam, Ultimate Sacrifice |