A Generous Open Hand

Through his own actions and energy to remember Alpha Company, Phil Woodall taught me about the commitment to remember. He left a letter to JH at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial that would be published in Shrapnel in the Heart by Laura Palmer. He wrote a letter to his father about the death of GS, his platoon leader. The letter was published in Dear America- Letters from Home edited by Bernard Edelman. Phil wrote poetry and published a book, Rhymer in the Sunset A Combat Soldier's Poetic Perspective of the Vietnam Experience and dedicated it to the memory Alpha Company. These are only a few of the early actions illustrating Phil's commitment to remember.

A static memory locked in the past is an attachment. Remembrance is an generous open hand. It's a gift to others.

One man's commitment to remember has touched the lives of others. Due to his efforts, I learned about Alpha Company. Three platoon leaders - JH, GS and FR - continue to live in memory. The living veterans share stories about other living veterans (LO, DS, JQ, GJ, JA, MM) and their beloved friends who have passed (TO, SS). Their remembrances are flashes of light. They provide a new perspective on obstacles and wisdom/guidance for the long winding journey of life.

I have learned what one remembers lives again. Commitment, trust, humor, purpose, courage, love, resiliency, perseverance ... the list is endless. They were young soldiers forty years ago, life has changed and transformed many times over. There is a saying "create with what you have." For the living veterans of Alpha Company, they can create with commitment. The type of commitment is as varied as the men. Phil Woodall created with the commitment to remember them. He inspired me to 'remember them' and I found peace. Peace is not something I can hold tight in my hands. For me, it lives in the commitment to remember and the ability to pass it on to another.