I will be volunteering at the Vietnam Moving Wall the next 3 days. I will be reading names off for an hour each day and Im so nervous that I will not be able to pronounce a name, . Im only 33 years old so I wasnt around during the Vietnam era, however I want to pay my repects to them and this is one of the ways I can do it...I want to give these servicemembers the utmost respect that they deserve. I do not want to offend anyone, I would feel awful...any suggestions? I cant get a list of names until I get there because I pick up where the last person stopped....
2007-06-22 11:48:15 · 6 answers · asked by *Army*Wife* 3 in Politics & Government ➔ Military
Thank you John...I do all I can to support my husband and all the troops past and present.
2007-06-22 12:00:30 · update #1
Jess I most certainly will do that for you
2007-06-22 12:09:09 · update #2
Army Wife, you continue to amaze me. Thank you for this as well as the other things you've said and done on here, for 'your' soldier as well as all of our soldiers. It's good to know there are women like yourself.
My advise: Just relax and read the names. Pretend you're just reading them aloud to yourself and forget that anyone else is listening. Pronounce the names as best you can and realize that most anyone will forgive you for mispronouncing a difficult name.
2007-06-22 11:56:46 · answer #1 · answered by John T 6 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well I am 15 years old, and I am in my Young Marine Honor Guard, and I will be doing a duty at the moving wall July 11-15 in traverse city Michigan. I am nervous as hell too. I carry the American Flag, and I have to call out the cadences and commands. I've done parades and ceremonies before but the moving wall will be an even more honor to me. I am really nervous for it. I have never been to the moving wall, and i don't know what it will be like.
2007-06-22 11:55:06 · answer #2 · answered by USYM. SSGT 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Fortunately at that time John, Michael, Edward and Richard were common names, so there's that worry off your mind. The last names might not be so easy but it's doubtful anyone would get in your face about it. The men themselves will be honored that someone remembered and the families will be happy that the sacrifice wasn't forgotten. Think of it as a wonderful thing you're doing and don't worry about mispronouncing it.
If you come upon Chris Deneca (Den-a-kuh) Michael Thomas, William Conrad, and Cpl David Brace, say hello for me.
2007-06-22 11:57:44 · answer #3 · answered by Jess 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
If you are truly trying to pronounce the name correctly, I don't think anyone will be offended. No one is perfect. Just hold your head high and do it with dignity.
2007-06-22 11:56:49 · answer #4 · answered by ? 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Good luck, don't forget our POW/MIA's from all conflicts. Thankfully, the DOD has an organization that does not rest until they all come home...
http://www.jpac.pacom.mil/index.htm
2007-06-22 12:21:11 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Didn't you post this before? and did not I tell you that is was a waste of time, in other words you can be doing something more constructive with your time.
Best way to pronounce foreign names is to get a linguelistics coach, You will have to pronounce, Spanish, French, German, Russian, Polish and Japanese names that will have silent letters or the letters have different sounds altogether.
2007-06-22 13:46:43 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 5⤋