‘A Day For Remembering’ Community Gathers For National Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony
By Sian Wilkerson Staff Writer Virginia Gazette
JAMES CITY — More than 100 veterans, their families and other members of the community gathered Wednesday to honor veterans from the Vietnam War.
“Today is a day for remembering,” the Rev. Chuck Mullaly said during the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park, talking about the service and sacrifices given by his fellow veterans. “We carry (our fellow servicemen’s) stories forward to our children and grandchildren.”
Mike Jenks, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, said that the ceremony represents a long-delayed recognition.
“So many of my contemporaries were spit upon (after the war),” Jenks said. “A lot of folks were disheartened and disillusioned. It’s nice to have these types of things and know the country is recognizing our service.”
JAMES CITY — More than 100 veterans, their families and other members of the community gathered Wednesday to honor veterans from the Vietnam War.
“Today is a day for remembering,” the Rev. Chuck Mullaly said during the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at Veterans Park, talking about the service and sacrifices given by his fellow veterans. “We carry (our fellow servicemen’s) stories forward to our children and grandchildren.”
Mike Jenks, who served in Vietnam from 1967 to 1968, said that the ceremony represents a long-delayed recognition.
“So many of my contemporaries were spit upon (after the war),” Jenks said. “A lot of folks were disheartened and disillusioned. It’s nice to have these types of things and know the country is recognizing our service.”
For some of the men and women gathered at Veterans Park Friday morning, it had been more than 50 years since they had put on the uniform. Gathered together to mark Vietnam Veteran’s Day, none of them have forgotten their experiences serving in the Vietnam War.
“A lot of these men, they weren’t exactly welcomed with open arms when they came home from Vietnam, and there are still a lot of Vietnam veterans who won’t come out and talk about their service because of the homecomings they received,” said Jim Icenhour. “That's part of why events like this are so important.”
Icenhour, chairman of the James City County Board of Supervisors, was one of several local officials on hand to give each veteran a 50 Year Vietnam War Commemorative pin, along with a handshake and thanks for their service. Icenhour, a former Vietnam War fighter pilot with almost 200 combat missions under his wings in the Air Force, knows a little recognition goes a long way.
“It’s important that we honor the men who serve this country, in the Vietnam era, that just didn’t happen,” Icenhour said. “As a community, and especially a community with as many veterans as Williamsburg, we owe them that and so much more.”
Others in attendance came to remember friends lost during the war.
George Bull served in Vietnam as a Captain in the Army from 1965 to 1970. He was wounded during a night attack in 1970, for which he received the Purple Heart. That same attack also killed more than a dozen other soldiers, including his college ROTC instructor.
“Something like this is very special, not just for the guys here today, but for all of our friends who never made it home,” Bull said. “A lot of us didn’t get any recognition after the war, but a lot of our guys never had a chance to be recognized at all, and we owe it to them to remember them today.”
Last year was an important milestone for the 50 Year Commemoration. The deadliest year of the Vietnam War was 1968, with 16,899 Americans killed in action and the anniversary of several key events, including the Tet Offensive and the end of Operation Rolling Thunder.
That sense of history matters, according to Clyde Spence, a retired Army major general who saw action in both Korea and Vietnam.
“We have a nasty habit of forgetting history in America, especially history that makes people uncomfortable, or which we disagree with,” he said. “People gave their lives in this war, we have to make sure they’re remembered, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Perhaps then most of all.”
Tom Monahan, president of Chapter 957 of Vietnam Veterans of America, which helped organize the ceremony, said he was encouraged by the strong turnout and hopes it will grow larger in the next few years.
“A lot of these men, they fought and died in a very unpopular war, and I know of people who still call us baby killers even after all this time,” Monahan said. “It always was a damn shame, and I’m very glad that, on a day like today, our Vietnam veterans are finally being recognized for the service they did for this country.”
“A lot of these men, they weren’t exactly welcomed with open arms when they came home from Vietnam, and there are still a lot of Vietnam veterans who won’t come out and talk about their service because of the homecomings they received,” said Jim Icenhour. “That's part of why events like this are so important.”
Icenhour, chairman of the James City County Board of Supervisors, was one of several local officials on hand to give each veteran a 50 Year Vietnam War Commemorative pin, along with a handshake and thanks for their service. Icenhour, a former Vietnam War fighter pilot with almost 200 combat missions under his wings in the Air Force, knows a little recognition goes a long way.
“It’s important that we honor the men who serve this country, in the Vietnam era, that just didn’t happen,” Icenhour said. “As a community, and especially a community with as many veterans as Williamsburg, we owe them that and so much more.”
Others in attendance came to remember friends lost during the war.
George Bull served in Vietnam as a Captain in the Army from 1965 to 1970. He was wounded during a night attack in 1970, for which he received the Purple Heart. That same attack also killed more than a dozen other soldiers, including his college ROTC instructor.
“Something like this is very special, not just for the guys here today, but for all of our friends who never made it home,” Bull said. “A lot of us didn’t get any recognition after the war, but a lot of our guys never had a chance to be recognized at all, and we owe it to them to remember them today.”
Last year was an important milestone for the 50 Year Commemoration. The deadliest year of the Vietnam War was 1968, with 16,899 Americans killed in action and the anniversary of several key events, including the Tet Offensive and the end of Operation Rolling Thunder.
That sense of history matters, according to Clyde Spence, a retired Army major general who saw action in both Korea and Vietnam.
“We have a nasty habit of forgetting history in America, especially history that makes people uncomfortable, or which we disagree with,” he said. “People gave their lives in this war, we have to make sure they’re remembered, even if it makes us uncomfortable. Perhaps then most of all.”
Tom Monahan, president of Chapter 957 of Vietnam Veterans of America, which helped organize the ceremony, said he was encouraged by the strong turnout and hopes it will grow larger in the next few years.
“A lot of these men, they fought and died in a very unpopular war, and I know of people who still call us baby killers even after all this time,” Monahan said. “It always was a damn shame, and I’m very glad that, on a day like today, our Vietnam veterans are finally being recognized for the service they did for this country.”
Vietnam Veterans Of America
Chapter 957 P.O. Box 5072 Williamsburg VA 23188-1603 |
Last update: 10/20/2023