Thank you for taking the time to read my email. I am not a Veteran myself and I have never seen war. Yet, I feel pain when I see others who have.
I apologies, this is not about me, this is and will always be about the Veterans. My wife & I have traveled about our beautiful nation and were
fortunate enough to visited Washington DC. Our first day in the city was a very emotional and moving day. We ascended on the Vietnam Wall
from behind and had no idea what everyone was looking at until we turned the corner. What a magnificentawe-inspiring sight. I felt very
heavy-hearted and proud. I was fighting the tears. After viewing the Wall, we found the Three Soldiers Statue. I could not longer stop the tears.
I felt physical pain as I peered into each soldiers eyes. I was transfixed. I could not move. And throughout our visit I found myself drawn back to
the statue and those eyes. They never left me, still to this day. We took some 700 photos on our trip, 15 to 20 % were of the statue alone. I
returned home and wanted to somehow show my appreciation. I have a couple of friends that are Vietnam Veterans and decided to make a picture
from the photos I took. So I took a close up of the soldiers faces, which I changed to semi-transparency, and placed it over a photo of The Three
Soldiers Statue. I give them the photo; the tough guy had tears in his eyes and the other could not take his eyes off of it. I told them that I made the
picture for them and them only. They told me I should share it with as many Veterans as I could. It took them several weeks, but I finally agreed. I
did so reluctantly and insist on one condition if I did share the picture, I would take no money for it what-so-ever. To date, I have been unsuccessful
in getting it to Veterans. I have written to my Mayor, Congressman, etc. with no response. I do not I seek recognition or payment of any kind. I simply
want to express my Thanks to all for their sacrifices. I included the photo (attached); the photos original size is 12" by 18".This size was the largest I
could make, without any distortion. Let me know what you think. If possible could you help to get it to our Vets, please?  I appreciate any help you
may provide. Again, thank you for your time,
  Derrek E. Sheets