A Simple Salute

By Jan C. Scruggs

Many stories were shared during two recent VVMF events in Kentucky.

But some stand out.

For one Vietnam veteran, decorations, awards and recognition weren’t his greatest honors. It was the salute of one soldier.

Retired Lt. Gen. Robert Yerks told stories of his time in war and the kind of reception veterans faced upon their return home. In Korea, Yerks led a company of American infantrymen that was nearly wiped out, but managed to capture the enemy position at a key point during a battle. In Vietnam, he served as a battalion commander. When rescuing a wounded soldier, his helicopter was shot down.

The general made a habit of visiting local veterans when they first return home, especially those who had been wounded in Iraq and Afghanistan.

Yerks was visiting one area veteran in the hospital. The veteran had been shot in Iraq, the bullet passing through his throat leaving him partially paralyzed and unable to speak.

During the visit, Yerks got the impression that the veteran didn’t want him there and started to leave the room.

But as he was making his exit, he noticed a slight movement that caused him to pause.

The wounded veteran’s hand slowly made its way up to his forehead. His hand was shaking badly and it was visible on his face the strength required to execute the gesture that is painless and commonplace for most service members.

The wounded veteran saluted the stranger who had come to visit him and it was a moment the general never forgot.

Yerks returned the salute, a gesture that he said became the highest honor he ever received.

After telling this story the general took charge of something incredibly moving. He read the names of all the Kentuckians who died in Iraq and Afghanistan.  In the audience was Lowell Hanson, who lost his Marine son to a sniper’s bullet in Afghanistan. His family is awaiting the Education Center where his photograph will be shown – alongside the others who gave their lives in the more recent wars.

These stories are often told at The Wall That Heals ceremonies and other events hosted by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

Once built, the Education Center at The Wall will put a face to each of the more than 58,000 names on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and will also be a place where stories like these will live on in a manner worthy of the great service and sacrifice of those veterans who gave their nation all they had.  When you look at the photo of Matt Hanson, I think you will see why we need these heroes to be remembered – and soon.

It’s Time to Honor Fallen Heroes—Past and Present: We’ll Honor Generations of Warriors at the Education Center at The Wall

By Jan C. Scruggs

Next week, the work to add 10 names to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will take place in Washington DC. On May 13, many will gather for a poignant event at The Wall, when the name of David Lawrence Deckard will be unveiled. I want you to know the story of his family. The story needs to be told.

A native of Kentucky and known to his family as “Larry”, Army Specialist Deckard was drafted while living in Indiana and completed his training at Fort Knox, KY. He was sent to Vietnam and served with HHC, 2nd Battalion, 8th Infantry Regiment, 4th Infantry Division. Gravely injured on March 24, 1969 when a B-40 rocket hit is armored personnel carrier, David Deckard suffered massive shrapnel wounds to the upper part of his body. According to his brother Virgil, also a Vietnam veteran, Larry only remembered waking up days later in a hospital bed in Japan. He was evacuated to Walter Reed General Hospital in D.C. and was paralyzed from the chest down for the rest of his life.

David Deckard received two Purple Hearts for his service, and was also diagnosed with chronic respiratory failure resulting from injuries received in combat, prior to his death on Jan. 6, 2006.

Throughout their lives, Virgil and David Deckard remained very close; they both loved to work on cars and go fishing together. Virgil first visited The Wall with his family 1992, and reports that it was a very difficult and moving experience. He says that it will be even more so now that his brother’s name is being etched into the black granite.

But it’s also especially difficult for Virgil and other family members because they recently lost another family member during Operation Iraqi Freedom.

Army Sgt. Matthew Deckard of Elizabethtown, KY was assigned to the 4th Battalion, 64th Armor Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 3rd Infantry Division out of Fort Stewart, Ga. He was killed on Sept. 16, 2005 when an improvised explosive device detonated near his M1A1 Abrams tank during a patrol operation in Baghdad. He was 29 years old, and he was Virgil Deckard’s son.

“So many soldiers have paid the ultimate price, and we should never forget them,” Virgil Deckard says. “There are just too many people that don’t care for this country or the people who gave all, but it’s nice to know that some do.”

Although separated by a generation and having served in different conflicts, these two fallen warriors – both members of the same family – will one day be reunited in the memories of all who visit the Education Center at The Wall, a place on our National Mall where our military heroes’ stories and sacrifice will never be forgotten.

Recently, VVMF offered a “Welcome Home” to members of the U.S. Armed Forces returning from war in Iraq, and pledged that when completed, The Education Center at The Wall will honor the men and women who, just like the Deckards,  have served in all wars and are part of America’s legacy of service. We are proud to honor and include those who bore the burden of service in Iraq and who are currently fighting in Afghanistan.

Veterans of Iraq and Afghanistan have served with pride and bravery. Much like the heroes who served in Vietnam, they have done their best for their country, for each other and for the people of those countries. They will be rightly honored at the Education Center.

As I was writing this, a poem written by Archibald MacLeish came to mind.

The Young Dead Soldiers Do Not Speak

The young dead soldiers do not speak.
Nevertheless, they are heard in the still houses:
who has not heard them?

They have a silence that speaks for them at night
and when the clock counts.

They say: We were young. We have died.
Remember us.

They say: We have done what we could
but until it is finished it is not done.

They say: We have given our lives but until it is finished
no one can know what our lives gave.

They say: Our deaths are not ours: they are yours,
they will mean what you make them.

They say: Whether our lives and our deaths were for
peace and a new hope or for nothing we cannot say,
it is you who must say this.

We leave you our deaths. Give them their meaning.
We were young, they say. We have died; remember us.

Veterans Reconnect in Harrisonburg with The Wall That Heals

Thousands came to visit The Wall That Heals in Harrisonburg, Virginia over the weekend of April 20-23. Some had never been able to see the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and for the first time found the names of their fellow troops on the panels of TWTH.

Some took the chance to again reflect on the service of the millions of Americans who came before. The 250-foot replica of the original memorial on the National Mall travels nationwide with an accompanying museum to allow more veterans, friends, families and the general public to learn about the Vietnam War, those who served, and most importantly – to remember.

In Harrisonburg, high school students searched for names on TWTH with ties to their school and the area. A bugler dressed in Navy whites played taps during the opening ceremony. Several area leaders from veterans organizations participated in the opening and closing ceremonies and also volunteered throughout the weekend. TWTH is open 24 hours a day to allow a constant vigil of remembrance.

Girl Scouts from Brownie Troop 251 also came to visit in preparation of their trip to Washington, D.C. this summer. They searched for the names of all eight women listed on The Wall.

Magical events and stirring moments are common at The Wall, whether here in Washington or wherever TWTH visits. The recent stop in Harrisonburg was no different. We were touched by the story of two men who saw each other for the first time in more than 40 years during a chance visit to the mobile display.

Tommy Bridgman went to Turner Ashby High School with Wayne McDorman. Bridgman left school to join the Army in 1967 and was sent to Vietnam with the infantry 1968-69. McDorman graduated and joined the Air Force in 1971. McDorman was injured in the AF and is now a disabled veteran. He is pictured below, in the motorized chair, during the opening ceremony in Harrisonburg.

The two men hadn’t seen each other since Bridgman enlisted.

They both returned to Rockingham County after their military service. At the Harrisonburg site, they reconnected, swapped stories and were glad to be at home with fellow veterans.

A Vietnam Veteran Finally being Awarded a Bronze Star

In 1970, Antonio Martinez was sent to a hilltop in the Duc Pho area of Vietnam. He and other members of Company B, 4^th Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment, 11^th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division were part of a helicopter combat assault. The crew, along with specially trained “booby trap” canines, began an assault/search-and-destroy mission. The unit was taking hostile fire when the mission was interrupted by the dogs tripping a wire, resulting a massive explosion. The two dog handlers, Cpl. William Reed and Pfc. David Nudenberg, as well as Pfc. Joe Billy McNett of Bravo Company were killed by the explosion. Staff Sgt. Steve Aggert sustained fragment wounds to his legs.

Bravo Company’s commander, 1Lt.  John Lappini remembers the incident well. According to him, the force of the blast knocked Spec. Martinez to the ground and fanned out more than 25 meters across the booby trap laden area. Lappinin remembers that the young soldier, Martinez, immediately sprung into action and began collecting the remains of his fallen comrades, including the dogs, onto ponchos to prepare them for evacuation.

Martinez left Vietnam and the Army without any formal commendation for his actions that day. When Iappini realized that fact decades later, he went to work ensuring the oversight was corrected. Iappini set his sights on a Bronze Star for Valor. Along with other former members of Bravo Company, Iappini  spent more than a year writing letters, gathering supporting evidence and submitting paperwork so that Martinez could receive the proper recognition. They enlisted the help of several Congressmen in their effort, including Sen. John Kerry of Massachusetts and especially Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Martinez’s home of record.

Iappini wrote in his recommendation that, “Martinez exemplified bravery and courage beyond the call of duty. He was determined not to leave behind our fallen Vietnam comrades and their body parts in the field of battle.”

On Sept. 22, 2011, the Secretary of the Army signed the citation awarding Martinez the Bronze Star for Valor for his actions 40 years earlier.

The citation reads, “The heroic actions of Specialist Martinez helped to save the lives of many soldiers. Specialist Martinez’s actions are in keeping with the finest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, 23d Infantry Division and the United States Army.”

On Friday, April 20, 2012, Martinez will be presented with his Bronze Star at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at 2 p.m. by retired Col. Vernon Sones, who commanded of the 4^th Battalion, 21^st Infantry Regiment, 11^th Infantry Brigade, Americal Division during its stand down in 1971.

So many stories like this came out of Vietnam and those stories must be told. The Education Center at the Wall will be a place for those stories to live on and for future generations to learn, honor and remember the lives of those who are listed on The Wall.

Call For Photos Campaign Kicks off in Virginia

Earlier this week, the First Lady of Virginia joined the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to kick off the Call For Photos campaign in Virginia. The effort is a combined campaign to gather photographs and stories of the more than 58,000 names inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, commonly known as The Wall.

Maureen McDonnell joined VVMF at the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond to highlight the effort to collect the remaining photographs of the 1,306 Virginians listed on The Wall. To date, VVMF has collected 571 of those photos that will be displayed in the Education Center at The Wall.

“Remembering our fallen heroes is without a doubt a crucial part of fully telling our nation’s great history. The Education Center where these photos will be displayed is a beautiful tribute to these men and women and a wonderful way to show our young people who they should thank for the freedoms they enjoy each day,” McDonnell said. “I call upon all Virginians to join this cause and to help ensure that every last one of these Virginia heroes is remembered through this effort.”

VVMF still hopes to collect the remaining 735 photos of Virginians to ensure that they, along with every name inscribed on The Wall, are never forgotten.

The First Lady was joined by Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund, and retired Army Maj. Gen. Neal Creighton.

“Virginia suffered some of the worst hardships of any state during the Vietnam War,” Scruggs said. “The Education Center at The Wall will allow Americans to put faces with the names of brave men and women who lost their lives, fostering their appreciation and respect for generations to come.”

Similar Call For Photos events have been held nationwide and VVMF has collected more than 30,000 photos to put faces to the names of the more than 58,000 names inscribed on The Wall. To learn more about the Call For Photos, or to submit a photo, click here.

Charlotte Welcomes Vietnam Veterans Home

In Charlotte, N.C. some veterans got the welcome home they never received decades earlier.

Charlotte Motor Speedway partnered with the USO of North Carolina and the N.C. Association of Broadcasters to host a Vietnam Veterans Homecoming Celebration on March 31.

More than 50,000 people participated in the full day of events and Jan C. Scruggs, founder and president of VVMF was there to welcome the veterans and honor those who didn’t come home.

“We will always remember you, brothers and sisters. We will never forget,” Scruggs told the crowd. “That’s what the Vietnam Veterans Memorial is all about and that’s what the new Education Center at The Wall is all about. A place to remember, honor and celebrate the legacy of service and all those who’ve worn the uniform, from Bunker Hill to Baghdad.”

Veterans and their families were treated to a parachute jump by the Army’s Golden Knight team, time to chat with veterans organizations, military performances and also a performance by Charlie Daniels. There were also able see the Traveling Wall exhibit, which is not affiliated with VVMF, but is a chance for veterans to experience the wall in some way if they haven’t been able to travel to Washington, D.C.

The Legacy Lives On

On March 26, 2012, we commemorated the 30th anniversary of the groundbreaking for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The groundbreaking occurred in 1982 on a cold, windy day when 100 veterans with shovels all turned the earth in unison to start the construction of the Wall.

Back then, organizers and supporters of the effort spoke of “separating the war from the warrior,” VVMF Founder and President Jan Scruggs said during the ceremony. “This put the controversy concerning the divisive Vietnam War on a shelf as we dealt with a wholly different issue—elevating and celebrating the service of Vietnam veterans.”

Thirty years later, the mission of remembrance continues.

“This idea has had an impact as well on those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. While the wars remain unpopular and divisive, those returning are received back into society with appreciation for putting their lives at risk for the nation. This is as it should be,” Scruggs said.

On our YouTube channel, you can hear four prominent supporters of the Wall and VVMF speak about the legacy of the Wall and those names etched into the stone, but also looking to the future and putting faces to each of those names in the Education Center. Reps. Allen West (Florida) and Brett Guthrie (Kentucky) join retired Brig. Gen. George Price and retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey in sharing their thoughts on remembering the fallen of the Vietnam War during the 30th anniversary ceremony.

The final project is the Education Center at the Wall (www.buildthecenter.org). The Center will have within it photos of the casualties from Vietnam. We now have more than 30,000 of the pictures that we will need. Displays in the Center will also include photographs of those lost in Afghanistan and Iraq. Every day these soldiers will be honored at the Center, which will become a spiritual place for those who have fought in these wars.

Since the Wall was built, more than 250,000 items have been left at the Wall. Those items have been kept and maintained and many will be on display in the Education Center as part of a lasting tribute to those who gave all during Vietnam and those they left behind.

The Legacy of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

by Jan C. Scruggs

On Monday 26 March 2012, we will commemorate the groundbreaking for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.  The groundbreaking occurred in 1982 on a cold and windy day when one hundred veterans with shovels all turned the earth in unison to start the construction on a Memorial - the future of which none of us had any appreciation for at the time.

A few decades later, it is worth trying to better understand the impact of what is known now as The Wall.

Psychoanalysts, historians, sociologists, theologians and others have done some serious intellectual and fairly lofty analysis of The Wall.

Although the scale is different, the Memorial has been studied in its spiritual dimension as a place not unlike to The Western Wall of Jerusalem, Mecca in Saudi Arabia, Lourdes in France, major Buddhist Shrines and other places considered holy due to the reverential behavior elicited at these locations.

“People make pilgrimages – which is what people do at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial- to be transformed intellectually and spiritually at a place of power”, wrote Ed Linenthal, a professor of religion and popular culture at the University of Wisconsin.

The phenomena of the more than 250,000 items being left at The Wall is without precedent and has been studied extensively by talented academicians.  It has been opined that the behavior at The Wall has fundamentally changed the way that America mourns. The Wall, it is said, gave license to Americans to mourn in public. The items left at the Oklahoma City bombing, at the World Trade Center, the AIDS Quilt, even the highway markers remembering those who perished in accidents are traced to The Wall and to imitative behavior.  There is interaction between the living and the dead at the Memorial. Part of this interaction often includes leaving highly emotionally charged items at the Memorial – from teddy bears and baseballs – which belonged to the casualties.  As described in the book, Carried to the Wall by Kristin Hass, a mother visits the memorial several times a year, usually around Christmas and definitely on his birthday to leave a card or letter. The book is probably the best written to explain why The Wall evokes such unique and, often, dramatic behavior.

The Wall has had an impact on the nation in surprising and momentous ways.

The site of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial was selected because of its relationship to the Lincoln Memorial which stands as a symbol of reconciliation after the Civil War. The war in Vietnam was the most divisive national event since the Civil War.

The basic purpose of the Memorial was to honor the veterans who were often vilified for participating in the Vietnam War.  There were about 3 million of us who were willing to go to Vietnam, most of us were not enthusiastic about risking our lives, but we were willing to serve the United States of America when asked to do so.    We were also all willing to give our lives – and over 58,000 did just that in the war zone.

In promoting the effort decades ago, we spoke of “Separating the War from the Warrior”.  This put the controversy concerning the divisive Vietnam War on a shelf as we dealt with a wholly different issue- elevating and celebrating the service of Vietnam veterans.     This slogan has had impact as well on those returning from Iraq and Afghanistan.  While the wars remain unpopular and divisive – those returning are received back into society with appreciation for putting their lives at risk for the nation.   This is as it should be.

As we commemorate groundbreaking,    we especially want to remember the genius of Maya Lin who designed this magnificent work of architecture.    Her design is known throughout the world as an example of true American architectural excellence.  People will always go to see great works of art. The Eiffel Tower, the Pyramids of Egypt, the Vatican will draw crowds in perpetuity.   So too, will The Wall. It is the most visited Memorial because it is, simply, an incredible and amazing work of art.  The Wall evokes emotion and remembrance.

The final project is the Education Center at The Wall– www.buildthecenter.org  The Center will have within it photos of the casualties from Vietnam.   We now have over 30,000 of the pictures that we will need.  In the Center, we will also includes, the photographs of those lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.  Every day these soldiers will be honored at The Center, which will become a spiritual place for those who have fought in these wars.

Some of the 250,000 items will be on display.    The items will all relate to values explored through the exhibits.  Values like Duty, Honor, Service, Courage and Integrity are integral to America’s Armed Forces.  The Center will elevate service.  People will be encouraged to become involved in their local communities.

Visitors will have the chance to receive a Dog Tag, or perhaps a Challenge Coin, with the name of a soldier who gave his or her life.  The person who accepts the coin will be challenged to do an act of civic virtue in the visitor’s home town- maybe planting a tree or standing up to the school yard bully.  An organization like Points of Light could provide a variety of volunteer opportunities.  This is quite a legacy for Americans who never lived to see their 21st birthday because of their love of country and willingness to fight the nations battles in places like Hue, Fallujah or Kandahar.

GUEST BLOG POST: “The Healing Power of the Wall some 42 years later”

 by Bill Shugarts

It was an unusually warm, Spring like day, March 1^st at the Wall.  While working in the mid-morning hours, a gentleman came up to me and asked if I was a docent.  I said yes, and asked him how I could help.  He had a lady friend with him and they appeared to be close to my age.  He was dressed in a “Peace Outfit” complete with a boonie hat, peace signs, multi-colored peace shirt and a peace belt bucket to boot.  He also had a colorfully decorated artificial arm with a hook on the end of it.

He wanted to know if I could take care of his arm that he wanted to leave.  He also wanted to know if it would go into the Vietnam Collection and would be protected. I said, yes, I could help him; his arm would be protected while on display at the Wall today and become part of the Vietnam Collection at the National Park Service Archives in Maryland.

I was somewhat startled as he took off the prosthesis he had on his right arm and laid it at the foot of panel 1-W in line with a small American Flag and some paper crosses that had been left at the Wall the previous days.  He seemed relieved and his lady friend took a few pictures of him doing this.  I asked him politely if he would not mind if I took a couple pictures as well to send to the VVMF folks and the archive folks.  He said that would be fine and began telling me his story.

He lost his arm in Vietnam in 1970.  His dad and brother had served in the Vietnam War as well.  He was quite proud of his family’s service.  He had a couple newspaper article clippings he also wanted to leave and placed them inside his artificial arm.  I read these and commented on his family’s service and replaced them back into his artificial arm.

Moreover, I was able to let him talk a bit about his family which enabled him to say, “I am closing the chapter on Vietnam now and don’t need this anymore” his eyes misting as he said this and walked away from the Wall.  I was trying to hold it together as well and enable him to grieve/heal in this brief conversation.

I then gave him a VVMF contact card in case he wanted to contact them.  He then gave me his card that has the word “Peace” on it and a creative graphic circling the famous peace icon.  Interestingly enough, his e-mail address on the card begins with “peaceman”.  He shared his name, Philip J. Ebert and address as well. He said he and his partner were from Mendocino, CA and never had been to the “real Wall” until now.

The healing power of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall after 42 years for this man’s loss never ceases to amaze me.

Poems to Remember

By Jan C. Scruggs

A friend of mine, Dr. Mary C. Rorro, sent these to me. Dr. Rorro is a Psychiatrist and author of these short but beautifully-written poems. They will give you a feel for what it was like to be in Vietnam. Of course, there is no way to fully experience the events unless you had been there, but these poems offer insight into the emotions all soldiers felt during that time:

Tunnel Rats 
I slithered down dank
tunnels of Cu Chi

my body small
mad muscles lean

The mission:
search and destroy

my 45’ll snuff out
Charlie’s boys

Not only guns and rifles
do I need to slip, but

the poisoned fangs
of Cong’s punji sticks

I turn the corner facing
jet eyes darting

back at me
Fear would be Chuck’s

fatal flaw
One breath’s wait cost him

my pistol’s first draw
A second VC was

prepared to click
his Soviet special sought

to fetch me with
its searing pitch, but I’ll

be damned if I’ll feel its
slam in this Devil’s Ditch

A bullet missed my
grime-painted face

in this crazed claustrophobic
space

But today was not
my day to die

I would live
for another dive

deep into war’s
dark divide

Bunker Bill 

His thin window pane rattles
against its howling frame

that is how he knows winter
solstice has arrived again

Winter wind’s glacial breath
chills his aging bones

Bill burrows into earth’s surface
rarely reemerging where
danger may be lurking

trembling hands seeking to cheat
death once dug deeper foxholes

as mortar rounds blew.
overhead

he fled to a bunker
his only sure shelter from

Vietnam’s Helter Skelter
still, no man can pull Bill
from his new fortified bunker

his prisoning perimeter protects
him from a soldier’s strife

yet war’s wounds unhealed
have robbed him of his life

Field of Dreams

Flowerless fields
verdant and spare

countless crosses
so many to bear

three lines define
soldiers and sons

chapters unwritten
books undone

After reading these poems, I felt emotions I haven’t felt for a while. They made me think of what I went through in Vietnam, the things I saw, and the people who never made it back home. The sacrifices bravely displayed by my fellow service members should never be forgotten. This is the reason why our construction of The Education Center at The Wall is so vital, and why VVMF will continue to urge your support until it is completed.

Go to www.buildthecenter.org for more information.