By Robert Seibert
Guest Writer
Vietnam Veterans were honored this past Friday at Clay County Veterans Memorial Park. A POW/MIA chair was present as a physical symbol of the thousands of American POW/MIAs still unaccounted for from all wars and conflicts involving the United States of America. It is a reminder for all of us to spare no effort to secure: the release of any American prisoner from captivity, the repatriation of the remains of those who died bravely in defense of liberty and a full accounting of those missing.
Those present on Friday were able to view a Vietnam era display, eat a provided lunch and were shown a shooting demonstration by the American Legion Post 532 Junior Shooting Sports Program. While the wind had been very calm most of the morning, at the exact moment the POW/MIA declaration was read, the flags surrounded Commander Seibert. Then again as the Pledge of Allegiance was given the American flag was waved proudly by the wind.
American Legion Post 532 hosted Warren Dupree, of Cherokee, N.C., a Vietnam veteran. Dupree gave a short history of the Vietnam war sharing the statistics of those killed and injured in the war. He read the names of those killed from the Cherokee tribe, Macon and Clay Counties. He then reminded attendees of the Vietnam Wall Memorial. There are more than 58,318 names on the wall. Of those named on the wall, there are three sets of fathers and sons. Of those names 39,996 are from people 22 or younger. There are 8,283 names of 19 years old and 33,103 were only 18 years old. If your head is spinning, hold on for three more. Twelve names belong to men who were only 17 years old. Five men who died were only 16. Finally, one man was 15.
Men are not the only casualties of the war. Eight women are also listed on the wall. Most people who view the wall will only see names, but to those who survived the Vietnam War and the families of those who did not they see the faces. They still feel the pain. They will be haunted until they die. They understand there are no noble wars, only noble warriors.
While not all Vietnam Veterans were treated badly upon their return, they did not receive the honor they were due. They did not choose the war, but served their country and fulfilled the commitment they had made. When a man or woman enlist, they do not choose everything about their service. Each one serves at the need of the service. As veterans, Post 532 understands the rigors of service and loneliness of being away from home and family. In an effort to bring some of home to our military in North Carolina, Post 532 is currently raising money to send Moon Pies to active-duty personnel at Camp Lejune and Fort Bragg. Donations to this effort can be made at Prints Plus.