How are you spending Father's Day? Check out what these vets and families are up to!

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 08:32:07 -0400

A wash to honor fathers' sacrifice: Families gather for a cleaning of the wall.

The 1992 gathering sparked what became a regular Father’s Day weekend tradition for survivors, many of whom didn’t find their voice until they had outlived their fathers, long after the war was over.

On Saturday, more than two decades after that initial meeting, in the murky light of a cloudy early morning, the polished granite of the memorial wall reflected the images of more than 100 people — some using walkers, others still with braces on their teeth, many carrying brushes and buckets of soapy water. Pointing to one of the 58,000 names on the wall, they recalled a loved one.

It was the beginning of a weekendlong event organized by Sons and Daughters in Touch and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund for survivors to coincide with Father’s Day. There will be a public ceremony at the memorial on Sunday beginning at 10 a.m.

http://www.stripes.com/news/veterans/a-wash-to-honor-fathers-sacrifice-families-gather-for-a-cleaning-of-the-wall-1.353566

A wash to honor fathers' sacrifice: Families gather for a cleaning of the wall

On Saturday, in the murky light of a cloudy early morning, the polished granite of the Vietnam Memorial Wall reflected the images of more than 100 people — some using walkers, others still with braces on their teeth, many carrying brushes and buckets of soapy water. Pointing to one of the 58,000 names on the wall, they recalled a loved one.

Response by Sgt David G Duchesneau made Jun 21 at 2015 9:02 AM

Sgt David G Duchesneau — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:02:24 -0400

With my family and enjoying my grandchildren and being thankful to be able to do that!

Response by MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca made Jun 21 at 2015 9:09 AM

MAJ Robert (Bob) Petrarca — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:09:58 -0400

My kids are making me breakfast as I type. Its raining up here in the northeast today so probably a movie later on. Next week hopefully we'll fulfill our original plan of going to the USS Intrepid museum down in NYC.

Response by SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. made Jun 21 at 2015 9:10 AM

SPC Jan Allbright, M.Sc., R.S. — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:10:48 -0400

I get to help run a Bingo game at the V

Response by CSM Michael J. Uhlig made Jun 21 at 2015 9:19 AM

CSM Michael J. Uhlig — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:19:06 -0400

This is a great example of selfless service while giving the families of our fallen a moment with their hero, need more stories like this, we take care of our own!

Response by PO1 John Miller made Jun 21 at 2015 9:28 AM

PO1 John Miller — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 09:28:36 -0400

Sleeping. I work nights and also all weekend.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Jun 21 at 2015 12:05 PM

Capt Seid Waddell — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 12:05:31 -0400

Yard work, then building robots with the grandson.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Jun 21 at 2015 1:01 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sun, 21 Jun 2015 13:01:54 -0400

We are spending the day cooking out with 4 generations of veterans. We will sit around talking about our time in the military and how it has changed us. We will discuss many different things today and we will enjoy the entire day.