OT- Traveling Vietnam Memorial

The traveling Vietnam Memorial (The Wall) came to Mount Airy, NC this weekend. I finally got to see it and it was a very touching sight. Vietnam 69-70 DH

Thought it was interesting that when it came here, it was illuminated and was staffed all night. They said that some guys are very private about it, and want to come in the wee hours of the morning when nobody else is around.

I didn't go to Viet Nam (served in the National Guard, '69-'75)- but several from my basic training and infantry AIT units lost their lives over there. Everybody who wasn't Guard or Reserves in my training company went, without even getting a break to go home after Infantry AIT (powers that be were afraid guys would go AWOL if they got any leave time at all- So after graduation ceremony, everybody on the bus, and they went straight to the planes).

It"s been in our area at least three times and have visited it once I"m a Viet Nam vet 68-69 and it has been escorted at least twice by a motorcycle group of Viet Nam vets which is just as touching to me because we all know as brothers the highest tribute that can be paid is a salute from your comrades in arms. God Bless them all! CT

A big THANK YOU to all our vets who have served our country, both past and present! God bless you.

It can to my area several years ago. I went to see it. Vietnam 71 - 72

Rapid deployment was not how it worked in the Marine Corps. Those who received an 0300 MOS (basic rifleman) out of boot camp were assigned to an infantry battalion after completing advanced infantry training. They went through one or two training cycles and matured their MOS to 0311 or specialties such as mortar man, machine gunner, or grenadier.

I got a 0100 MOS (admin clerk) out of boot camp because I could type 13 words a minute. It took 16 months for me to get my orders to Nam. I was there in "66 and all of "67 in different locations below the DMZ.

I was the company clerk in I Co, Third Battalion, Fourth Marines. We had 21 KIA and several DOW (died of wounds) while I was there. Several hundred total casualties.

The memorial came to my town about 15 years later. I am embarrassed to say I couldn"t find a single name that I should have remembered. I knew them all by face and name. I processed their final paperwork which can get very involved if the Marine was recommended for a decoration . I even signed a number of witness statements at the Graves Registration tent.

I suppose my brain wanted to forget those experiences and it did. I can remember many of my grade school classmates as well as high school. I can even tell you who my drill instructors were and some of the training platoon recruits at Parris Island.

The Wall is presently in Lynbrook, Long Island, NY. It is only about 4 miles from my home. It came to Long Island years ago and I insisted that my young son visit the Wall with me as I served there in '66-'67. He learned a lot that day, not just about his dad,but about the sacrifices that people make. Today as a 25 year old He is still very respectful of his elders and what they have done. Especially the Vets. I will be visiting my brothers tomorrow.
Bill

Thank You VERY much for your SERVICE and the post to remind us!
I was very "lucky" to just miss the Vietnam War in 1972 but respect any and all who have served.

Still working on the the "Honor Flight" for my Dad who served in WW II and Korea.

Jim
Sons of the American Legion Post 506 Emden, IL

I saw the one in Washington quite a sight. Was over there in 67 Stan

I had the opportunity to see this very same display in Dumas, TX last September. Quite a site and to top it off it was at an antique tractor & auto show.

The wall came to our small town several years back. It was a humbling sight, all those names. Each and every one of them had a person attached to them that gave the ultimate sacrifice for our country. I had the privilege to help on night watch. Mike(WA)is correct in that there was a fairly steady stream of men all night long. One at a time. Seemed like they waited in the shadows so that the person at the wall could have their private moment. It was very touching and sometimes very heart wrenching to see these soldiers come visit their buddies and re-live their past. It is an experience I will not soon forget.

The vietman vets were badly mistreated. Let me say this,,,They pulled down the Berlin wall....
They proved our devotion to freedom.

Visited it several years ago. Could not stay.
69-73 75th Infantry Regiment (Ranger). Left several good friends there.

Don't feel bad wardner my job in VN was as an air contoller directing air refueling and air rescue and had direct radio communication with downed pilots trying to avoid capture and some of the last comms were tell my family I love them before comm was lost. All I had was a pilot number no name no nothing.

In my opinion the job you had to do was worse than being in the middle of fighting and rocket attacks. All people who went to Vietman were Brothers and still are. DH