HIGH GROUND TO VIETNAM VET MEMORIAL: a photo essay

“The high ground is good.”

That’s what the old timer said.

“And there’s not so many people.”

I found him under the Vietnam Veterans of Oregon Memorial bridge, sitting in a lawn chair and handing out pamphlets on Veteran’s Day.

Had his car parked on one side of a flowerbed and a walkway without a ticket so I knew he was somebody.

He was alone so I stopped and showed him where I’d just been. You know, be a good distraction for the old soldier. He looked like he needed some distraction.

“I started from the top road…

“You know where you turn left out of here and there’s a Y. One goes to the rose gardens, the other goes up to a switchback. Keep left and you come to a stop sign. It’s a dead end stop sign so turn left and find a place to park. You’ll be in a ditch and might feel like tipping over, but you won’t.”

“Cross the street and wind down a steep trail.”

“Slippery,” he said.

He lit his cigar, then lit it again.

“Some of the trees look like they’re wearing golden wings.”

“What service were you in?” he asked.

“Like what uniform?”

“Army? Navy? Air Force?”

“What service were you in?”

“Marines.”

“I like it here late in the day, just walking and listening.”

“You know how to walk?”

“I know how to walk down a trail and not surprise a bear.”

“Wear a bell.”

“The strangest walk I’ve seen was a guy’s brother. Vietnam vet. Said he was a lurp. Sort of floated around.”

“They can be spooky.”

“I was Army.”

“Vietnam vet?”

“’74-’76. First of the volunteers, last of the two year enlistments.”

Right about there I could tell my work with the old Marine was about done.

He was alone when I walked up and he looked like he was ready for more alone time. Or he wanted to fold up his chair and call it a day.

Either way don’t just walk by. And don’t leave too fast.

“When you start on Hemlock Trail up where I did you walk a nice twisting descent, then back up.”

“Just like that.”

“It’s right there, like magic.”

“It’s got a special feel to it. Seems so long ago.”

“It glows.”

“Shining bright on a dark day.”

“And shining on.”

Last word?

Remember.