Corporal Tommy Lee Taylor
Growing up I remember seeing this picture hanging in my great-grandparents’ home and asking my great-grandfather, Homer Taylor, "Granddaddy, who is this?" My grandfather would reply, "Tommy."
Of course, being the age of four or five my next question was, "Who is Tommy?" He went on to explain that Tommy was his son who was killed in the Vietnam War.
As a child, I didn't recognize the pain my grandfather must have felt every time I would ask this question. I just really enjoyed hearing my granddad tell stories. You see, my grandfather’s stories of war and travel always fascinated me. He himself served in the Army during World War II and I would love to hear about his time spent in Japan and the Philippines.
Fast forward 10 years. I had the opportunity to travel to Washington D.C. where I was able to view the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "The Wall". I was so excited. I would finally be able to see Tommy's name on this very beautiful memorial. As I searched for his name on a wall of over 50,000 names I finally came to, Tommy L. Taylor. My excitement soon faded and a feeling of sadness overcame me as it finally hit me after all of these years. There etched in this beautiful black granite was the name of my grandfather's only son.
I ran my fingers over his name as tears filled my eyes. In that moment I was filled with sadness. When I got back to Chattanooga I told my grandfather of my experience. To my surprise, his eyes lit up as I told him the story of seeing his son's name etched in the wall! There was a look of pride and admiration for his son in his eyes. It reminded me of the way I always looked at him, my grandfather. I knew then like the stories my grandfather told to me that I carried (and still carry) very close to my heart, that the story I told him that day touched him and would forever live within his heart as well.
Tommy Lee Taylor - 20 years old
CPL - E4 - Marine Corps - Regular
Length of service 1 years
His tour began on Nov 13, 1967
Casualty was on May 5, 1968
In QUANG TRI, SOUTH VIETNAM
Shavonna Bush
Shavonna Bush