Wayne Gilchrest: “Andy Rooney, a number of years ago, wrote a book about war, and he revealed in that book a little known phenomenon that…”

“Andy Rooney, a number of years ago, wrote a book about war, and he revealed in that book a little known phenomenon that is very rarely, if ever, discussed about war. That phenomenon is in essence this: The combat soldier in combat is dependent and dependable. He is loved and he loves others. He deals with those who are dying. He deals with those who are sick. He deals with those who are afraid. He deals with those who cannot rise up to the difficult challenge, emotional challenge, of viewing the slaughter on a daily basis. Many of those men who were afraid, or who may not have been wounded in the body, their spirit was wounded. Their mind was wounded. Some of them picked up disease. Those young men deserve some recognition along this magnificent wall that represents that conflict so that their families may come and have some resolution.”