A Name Is a Claim on a Life, a History

Memorial Day brings many great tradi tions. Yesterday we watched some of the tributes on the television and I was struck by the footage of visitors to The Wall in Washington, D.C., to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in Viet Nam. As most people know, the memorial is a triangular shaped wall that is inscribed with the names of every person who died in Viet Nam. It is simple and yet so stirring. And for those who knew someone on that wall, it carries far deeper meaning.