The Spirit at the Wall.....The Story of the White Squirrels
Long ago, in another lifetime, I was married to a Vietnam Veteran. He was a good man, who always did his best. He died on 9 December 87.
I have made many pilgrimages to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial. Some to remember old friends, some to leave rememberances of my husband, "things" that I felt he would put there himself if he were still here.
Veterans Day 1997 was my most important visit there because during this visit, I saw something unique. Something that I had never noticed during any of my prior visits.
You see, I love animals....all animals....and I notice them, always.
On this particular November day, when I set out for the "Wall", I was armed with my usual accompaniments. My camera, my dozen red roses, and of course, a pocket full of nuts for the squirrels who make themselves at home at the Memorial.
On my way to the wall, I fed several of the little critters, as I always do, stopping to squat down to "squirrel level", just for the sheer joy of having them eat from my hand. As I was leaving the Memorial, I spotted something I have never seen before.
I've lived in the country practically all my life. I've hunted and fished in three states, but never before, anywhere, any place have I seen a creature like this.
Not an albino squirrel, not that I have ever seen one of them either, but a white squirrel, with bright shining black eyes. I approached, and held my hand out with the last few nuts that were in my pocket. Slowly he came forward, and took one of the nuts.
He allowed me to gently touch his back, and I fed him the rest of the nuts.
Since that day, I have asked many people if they have ever seen a white squirrel. No one has.
I think about the little creature often, and wonder if perhaps God sent him to a very special place because he is special. Perhaps some sort of small spirit, as Native Americans may believe of this little white animal. I don't really know, but I know this was a very special day for me.
I returned again to Washington for Veteran's Day of 1998. On the trip down, I kept wondering.....is he still there? Is he safe? Will I get to see him?
When I made the trip to the Memorial, I paid my respects to my lost loved ones, then ventured to the area where I had found "Whitey" the year before.
Many little gray squirrels made their way to me for treats. So many I lost count, but no sign of my special friend.
Just as I was ready to give up on him, I spotted him!
I was overjoyed to see that he is still there, still in that special place.....and I had trouble believing my eyes when I spotted a double of him...smaller.....quicker.......much more shy, but there he was....an offspring of my orignal little friend. I fed both with tears in my eyes. Tears of joy that I found Whitey again, and that now there is another like him.
Again, I made my yearly trip to the Wall for Veterans' Day of 1999.
Once again, as I traveled south, I had the same thoughts. Will he be there? Is he still alive? What sort of lifespan do these little furry friends have, and what chances of survival on Constitution Avenue?
As I approached his area, I saw something white and squirrel-shaped on the edge of a trash recepticle. I thought to myself "It's just a piece of paper that looks like a squirrel". Then it hopped out!!
I practically ran to my little friend, and had to refrain from shouting with joy as not to frighten him away. I spent several hours with him that day, and I felt almost as if he had been waiting for me.
Veterans' Day of 2000, again, I made my journey and pilgrimage. This year was very special, due to the fact that I was meeting my cousin June in Washington. We had not seen each other in approximately 25 years.
After the ceremonies at the Iwo Jima Memorial celebrating the 225th birthday of the Marine Corps, I walked across the bridge over the Potomac to the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial.
It was a very windy day, sunny and clear, but oh, how windy! I grabbed a bite to eat at one of the concessions, walked the length of The Wall, left my flowers and tributes at the apex as I always do, then continued on to the place where Whitey lives.
There were no squirrels out and about at all that day. I know I wouldn't like to be down at "squirrel level" in such wind, with leaves and dirt blowing in my eyes, and I guess they don't like it either. We sat on a bench and tried to lure some of the little creatures out with peanuts while waiting for my cell phone to ring, letting me know that June and her husband John were somewhere in the same area. There was no sign of Whitey, and very few of his little gray companions while I waited for June's call.
The phone rang, and June and John were within eyesight. They spotted me when I stood up from the bench to look for them. I ran to meet them, and after a tearful reunion, we made our way to a bench to sit and talk and reminisce. As we were about to sit, Junie exclaimed: "There he is!"
I looked down the path and there was my old friend. We spent a wonderful afternoon chatting and feeding my little friend and his little gray companions.
He was very friendly this year, hopping on my lap, on my shoulder, and sitting in between June and me as we talked. It was as if he remembered me.
I haven't been back to visit since that year. I started a new job in November of 2001, and couldn't take time off. In 2002, I was battling cancer and not up to the trip. I'm in remission now, and hopefully, I'll get to go and look for my little friends again one day.
Special Creatures for a Special Place.
If you are there, and you see the White Squirrels, please remember me to them..
"May their memory serve as a blessing----and a warning."... Michael Bernbaum
But we...shall be remembered; we few, we happy few, we band of brothers; For he today that sheds his blood with me shall be my brother.
William Shakespear/Henry V
Taught to me by Willard John McHale
United States Army, 29th Division
1940 - 1945
"This is the place: Stand still, my steed; let me review the scene and summon from the shadowy past the forms that once have been." - Tennyson
