As I read about the Vietnam War Memorial and the artifacts and small articles left at the site (February/ March), I was totally unprepared for my reaction as I wept and couldn’t stop and finally had to lay the magazine aside.

This morning I decided to finish the article, fully prepared to stanch any silly tears. I failed utterly. Why I should weep at the picture of a package of Kool cigarettes and a can of beer taped together attached to a crudely printed note is hard to explain.

It must be that the Memorial and all the mementos left there make war personal as nothing has ever done before.