Vietnam veteran finally faces the wall at Melbourne Reunion

Vietnam veteran finally faces the wall
Written by
R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY
MELBOURNE — George Taylor stretched his left hand out, his fingers touching the name of a fellow soldier killed in the Vietnam War more than 40 years ago and engraved on the Vietnam Memorial Traveling Wall.

It was the first time Taylor could emotionally bring himself to face the wall at the Florida Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park. The wall, which will be on display through Sunday, bears the names of more than 58,000 Americans who died in the war.

Taylor, who turned 61 on Friday, took off his ever-present cowboy hat, bowed his head with his forehead touching the wall, and he paused for a moment of silence as he touched the name of Rafael Colon-Santos.

Turning away from the wall, Taylor faced fellow veterans and supporters who gathered behind him. Some held a banner that said "Happy Birthday, Cowboy George." They shook his hand and hugged him.

"I had to try to lay 41 years of nightmares to rest," Taylor said, lips quivering as he choked back tears.

Taylor, founder and president of the National Veterans Homeless Support, which helps local homeless veterans, some from the Vietnam War, with supplies and helps to get them out of homelessness.
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Vietnam veteran finally faces the wall