VETERANS PRESS: 'I cried today'

Jan. 15, 2025 

“I cried today.” 

I didn’t expect it to happen … 

I mean, it’s been 57 years. 

They tell you “it will get easier over time …" 

The fact is it will never get easier … 

It just isn’t all the time. 

Jan. 15, 2025,  

Today is the 57th anniversary of the death of my brother, 24-year-old 1st Lieutenant Richard H. Walker, who was killed in Vietnam. 

You never know what will kick off the tears … 

After all these years I realized …

Tearful moments aren’t bad things … they are just sad things … 

This is what happened today. 

I didn’t plan it to happen on this significant day, but it did. 

It wasn’t the date that made me remember and made me cry … It was a painting …

This painting was done by Ridgeline High School sophomore Aimée Thompson. Aimée was a student in Mr. Kyle Genther’s art class.  

The painting was one of several veteran honoring paintings on display at the Ridgeline 2024 Veterans Day Ceremony and Concert. 

There were several awesome paintings by many talented Ridgeline students in the art classes. The paintings were all wonderful and part of a very meaningful ceremony and concert. 

The whole ceremony was moving. A huge gym was full of high school students and teachers. A large section was set up for local veterans and their families.    

The main floor was filled by the talented Ridgeline school band and choir. 

In front, off to the side, was the group of paintings. 

With all the ceremonies, speeches and music, I could not take my eyes off Aimée’s painting. It took my breath away … It made me cry. 

After the ceremony I took a picture of Aimée’s painting … It is now the screen saver on my MacBook. 

After a couple of weeks staring at the screen saver, I made a decision … 

I contacted the school and art teacher Mr. Kyle Genther and told them I wanted to purchase the painting. 

I said I would pay Aimée or make a donation, whatever might work without breaking any rules. If I couldn’t buy the original, I would pay for a print.  

After a while, Mr. Genther contacted me and said that Aimée would be thrilled to let me buy the painting, if it meant that much to me. 

That gets us to today … 

Jan. 15, 2025 

Today, I met with Aimée and Kyle at Ridgeline and traded an envelope for the painting.  

You can see the three of us in the photo. (P.S. I am the one with the gray hair.) 

I intended to say something about how we were honored to have this wonderful, meaningful painting … but … when I tried to tell Aimée and Kyle … I choked up and teared up again and could not get out those practiced and thoughtful words.    

I mumbled something like … "Thank you, the painting moved me.” 

As I said before … "You never know what kicks off the tears.”  

Every time I look at the painting hanging in my office, I will think of Aimée and her teacher, Mr. Genther.

But mostly,  

I will think about my brother, Rich … and probably tear up again. 

Thank you, Aimée,  

Your heart and soul shows in your painting. We are honored to have it hanging in our home. 

Thank you, Kyle, such a wonderful project.

Thank you, Ridgeline High School. 

You honored all veterans with your ceremony. Your program will help our community and future generations remember what Veterans Day stands for.

    From left: Kyle Genther, Aimée Thompson and Don Walker.
 

    Ridgeline 2024 Veterans’ Day Ceremony and Concert