The Wall

November 11th, 2008

Dear Fellow Veteran:  I just wanted to take a moment to thank you and send you a copy of a letter I sent to the local NFL football team (the Jaguars) head coach Mr. Jack Del Rio. I was very proud and flattered when coach Del Rio responded to my letter via a personalized and signed letter of thanks from him. The Veterans Wall here in Jacksonville is located on the Jaguars property. It is maintained by them and the city. It is located in a beautiful area of this town that has recently been renovated with stadium upgrades, new baseball grounds, new sports and concert arena, and a new city park on the river. The wall here contains all the names of the heroes from Duval County (Jacksonville) that gave their lives starting with WWI to the present terrorist campaign around the world. On one of my last visits to the Wall I noticed 13 more names added to the terrorist campaign area of the Wall. I was deeply saddened by this, and will forever be saddened by the waste of war. I know it is a necessary evil throughout history, but it saddens me even so. Your sacrifice and duty is much appreciated, and without your efforts we would not have a new ball field and park to enjoy. Please come home soon, and enjoy the fruits of your labors. Here’s the letter: God Bless You…

 To: Mr. Jack Del Rio , Jaguars Head Coach, Sir: Thank you and the Jaguar staff and security for putting up with my visits to the Veterans wall at the stadium site. I come to the wall at least once a week, sometimes more often. Sometimes it is during the day, but often it is in the wee hours of the night, or early morning. This is a sacred place to me, it is peaceful and uncluttered. I always, always clean up a bit, straighten out flowers left by others, etc. It is the least I can do in my own way, to honor those fallen serving our great country. I do not have any relatives or friends on the wall (that I am aware of) but I can tell you I have a deep kinship with the brothers and sisters who have served. The words inscribed in the granite blocks speak to me in ways I can not always describe. I cry, I laugh, I read a poem, I play my harmonica, I smoke a cigarette, and wonder why. 

I was in the Navy for several years, 25 or so years ago. I had the honor of serving on the U.S.S. John F. Kennedy. I was attached to VF-14 (The Tophatters). It was one of two squadrons of F-14’s on the carrier. I felt like I was in a bit part on Star Wars. It was during a 1980 Mediterranean Cruise that I more fully developed my love for the ocean and its silent majesty. I feel this power at the wall. I feel the pain at the wall. I feel the heroes at the wall. I feel the sacrifices at the wall. I feel the honor at the wall. I feel the betrayal at the wall. And most of all I feel the horror of the wall. For after all what does it represent? It represents war, and the suffering that goes with it. I live for the day this suffering ends. I live for the day no more names are added to not only this wall, but all such monuments world wide. 

 So as I hope you understand sir, thank you again for allowing me to grieve, to honor, to pay respect to those whose only legacy left on this planet is their solitary name on a wall of heroes. When we all need a little reality check, go to the wall, and take a moment out of your life to pay homage to those who gave their life so you might enjoy a moment, a life, and the freedom and prosperity you make of it. It is a mystical place, a sacred place, a perfect place to gather your thoughts and maybe share a few. The Jaguar statue adds to this environment of solace. After I humble myself at the wall, I often wander over to the Jaguar and it inspires me to carry on, to move forward and not look back. I promise you sir that my intentions are pure, and after all I am a supportive Jaguar fan. 

 Mr. Del Rio, you and your entire staff have the honor to play in the shadow of the wall, near those whose destiny lies in the play book of God. And, I know you are good people, who have made as much as possible with your God given talents and wisdom. You carry this burden of athletic grace and strategic knowledge very well. For that I am grateful, as it adds to the best sports entertainment venue available in the world. Here’s to a great 2006 season and if you ever have open tryouts for a crazy out of control cigarette smoking place kicker, let me know. Just kidding of course, I’m not that crazy, but I would like to give that punt, pass, and kick thing a try sometime. 

 In closing, thanks also goes out to the architects and planners and workers who designed and placed the wall, and all those individuals and companies who donated to its cause. But, most of all I would like to thank those whose names are on the wall, and the families and friends who suffered their loss. This is a beautiful, proud country, just as the wall is. May the hopes, dreams, fortunes and honor of those whose names are inscribed in this timeless wall of stone…never be forgotten. 

 Yours in Faith, Family, and Football, May 17th, 2006: Bryan A. Stross Jacksonville, Florida 🪶😎🇺🇸✝️

May the waters be calm in your presence And the skies filled with your glory, now & forever more.  ⚓️🦅🕊️