There were nothing but old men standing around looking happy and yet, looking so sad. They stood there looking older than their years. To a man, there were tears in their eyes. The tears were not for today... but for yesterday. They were thinking of lost buddies and of lost youth...thinking of all that could have been done by all the young men on the Wall.

Over heard them talking. They call themselves "The FEW" after one of the Marine Corps recruiting slogans I guess. They all seem to be as one although they are totally different. I overheard them say they were Corpsmen, Marines and even a Sea Bee. I look around and I see their wives and girl friends. They seem to be a part of the group yet they are not. They stand off on the side and look with pride at their men. They seem to have an understanding that I just can't see. Most of them have never met before today...yet they share closeness, a comradeship only few understand. They have pains and hurts that are as identical as they are different.

In that small group, they have a Medal of Honor recipient, a Silver Star recipient, several Bronze Stars, and more Purple Hearts than most outfits would have. It seems like most of the Purple Hearts belong to the Navy guys. Must be something special, they call themselves FMF Corpsmen. The most extraordinary thing about that group is the fierce devotion they seem to have for each other. They just met for the first time but it is hard to believe they act this way if that is true.

Their youth for the most part was spent in a far away land. Their games were deadly; their rewards were few. When their country called for volunteers, they were at the front of the line. They didn't run, they didn't hide behind legal banter...they served with honor and with pride. They went to war as clerks, truck drivers, mechanics, heavy equipment operators, grunts and Corpsmen. They came with a diverse background that battles merged into a oneness shared only by those who have been there.

All had experiences that they carry with them still today. There are times when unexpected noises make them jump and be wary. Sometimes they cry for no reason. Some times they lay awake at night to keep from having to dream their past...sometimes they want to sleep for eternity - never waking to the pain again.

At one time or another, all have wondered why they came home and their buddies did not. The Docs look at the Wall and wonder how many of those men would still be alive if they could have just been there, had been faster, had been better prepared.

Yes, they have just met...but they are brothers brought together by strife and blood. Not all fought in battles but all were ready to back their brothers in every way possible. Some were in Viet Nam...others were at home or in diverse far away places. Some served in a different era but all were heroes and did things only heroes could do. Yes, they are old and will not carry the torch much longer. But they know that there will be responsible men such as themselves ready to pick up the torch and become members of