In Touch With An Old Friend

It was this last August that I went to meet Teddy Hodges, an old friend from high school. He was a year older and wasn’t my best friend but he only lived a mile or so away, so we were neighbors. We rode the same school bus and flirted with the same girls – he was more successful at it than I.

I joined the Navy less than a week after we graduated high school. He laughed and said I was crazy. Some time later, he was drafted.

The traveling Viet Nam Memorial, often called “The Wall” came to town and was on display for all to see. I went down and we  met again after almost 45 years. I looked him up, and with some sadness and lots of respect – I reached out and touched his name on "The Wall."

This shows the entire Wall.

A little bit closer.

 Close enough to read his name.

Have a good rest old friend, you certainly earned it.