FACTS ABOUT VIETNAM THAT YOU MAY NOT KNOW

Three million people served in Vietnam. Contrary to popular theory, approximately two-thirds of these men were volunteers, not draftees. Seven out of the 10 men killed in action were volunteers for military service, not draftees, and the total number of 18-year-old draftees killed (101), was less than one- tenth of one-percent of the total killed.

For those of you who think that this war was just some “dirty little war” fought largely by 760-pound bombs deployed from B-52 aircraft, you should realize that the Hanoi government recently admitted that 1.4 million of their soldiers died on the battlefield, compared to 58,178 U.S. dead. For the U.S. Marine Corps, it was the most costly war ever fought in our proud history with five times as many dead than in World War I, three times as many dead than in Korea, and more total killed and wounded than in all of World War II with 14,387 casualties.

Although the Marines made up only about 10 percent of the fighting forces in Vietnam, virtually one in four names on the Vietnam Wall Memorial is that of a U.S. Marine. Think about that fact.

And to answer the many queries I get around the internet, no, I am not a Vietnam vet. Rather, I am a Vietnam-era vet. I was the only Marine in my platoon who could get a security clearance. Can you believe that? Holy shit! As such, I was the lucky recipient of being awarded three tours of duty at Headquarters, U.S. Marine Corps in Arlington, Virginia. Oh well, somebody had to do it, right?

I have been to The Wall in Washington and looked up the other 65 members my Platoon 1022, Company C, First Battalion, Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego, California which graduated on 16 April 1970. There are five Marines of that platoon whose names are inscribed thereon. Rest in peace, brothers! For more facts about Vietnam click here.

In addition, a high school classmate and friend of mine was killed in Vietnam:

EUGENE MARSHALL FRICKE

SP4-E4 - U.S. Army - Selective Service, 5th Infantry Division Mechanized, 21-year-old. Single, Caucasian, Male, Born on March 23, 1950, From Sheboygan, Wisconsin. His tour of duty began on August 30, 1970. Casualty was on May 6th, 1971 in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. Hostile, died of wounds. Ground Casualty. Other explosive device. Body was recovered. Panel 03W - - Line 24.

Rest in peace, Gene!

For pictures of “The Other Wall,” a memorial to the men and women of the Beirut Barracks Bombing, click here.

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27th, 2002

There was an anniversary, yesterday, on the Mall in Washington, DC. There was a ceremony marking the 20th anniversary of the day when a group of veterans each turned over one shovelful of earth to begin the process of building the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

Now, 20 years on, we simply call it, "The Wall."

The Wall was finished eight months later and, sometime in early November of this year, there will be a much larger, much more heralded anniversary marking the official dedication of The Wall.

But on this day, in the cold and drizzle of late March in Washington, about 100 people turned out to lay 20 wreaths - one for each year - which carried the names of state veterans organizations, military units, and a few businesses at The Wall.

Jan Scruggs - the Vietnam vet who started the movement for a Memorial to men and women who fought in a war not very many people liked - was the master of ceremonies. A quarter of a century ago, Scruggs took $2,800 of his own money and headed up to Capitol Hill.

A memorial to soldiers killed in the Vietnam War, was not the most popular idea ever to come before Congress back in those days, but two Senators: Mac Mathias of Maryland and John Warner of Virginia got three acres down near the Lincoln Memorial designated for a memorial which has become: The Wall.

One of the people bundled up against the chill and damp yesterday was a man named Brian Thacker. To look at Thacker you think: Government Accountant. But he is a very tough guy.

Brian Thacker received a Medal of Honor for his actions in that war. He was a first lieutenant commanding a forward observation unit which, in 1971, came under heavy attack. Here is the concluding part of the official citation:

By late afternoon, the situation had become untenable. 1stLt Thacker organized and directed the withdrawal of the remaining friendly forces. With complete disregard for his personal safety, he remained inside the perimeter alone to provide covering fire with his M-16 rifle until all other friendly forces had escaped from the besieged fire base.

Then, in an act of supreme courage, he called for friendly artillery fire on his own position to allow his comrades more time to withdraw safely from the area and, at the same time, inflict even greater casualties on the enemy forces. Although wounded and unable to escape from the area himself, he successfully eluded the enemy forces for 8 days until friendly forces regained control of the fire base.

He told me that The Wall has come to mean something special in its 20 years. Thacker said: "This was built to be a Wall that heals. But it has become," he said looking at the parents and their kids in Washington for spring break making their way slowly down the pathway, "A Wall that educates."

An award for war reporting was given to Alex Perry who is in Afghanistan writing for Time Magazine. He gave the eyewitness accounts of the Taliban revolt at the prison in Qala-i-Jangi late last year.

In his written acceptance Perry said he was grateful for having the opportunity to help his readers understand "what foreign policy means at the sharp end." Pretty good line.

That award is named for Joe Galloway who was there, in the mist. As a reporter for United Press International, he covered the war no one much liked for four tours. He, as a civilian, received a Bronze Star with V for valor for risking his life trying to save a gravely wounded soldier.

He co-authored a book, We Were Soldiers Once, which is now, as they say, a major motion picture starring Mel Gibson.

As anniversaries go, this being divisible by ten, was okay. As Washington events go, it wasn't one of the big ones. As wars go, Vietnam wasn't one of the good ones.

But as for the people who went to Vietnam to fight there, to report there, to nurse there, or to doctor there, they were, as they always have been - and as they remain today - the best America has.

Author Unknown

A POEM BY ROGER HEARD

A LETTER FROM AMERICA

Dear Vietnam Veteran,

I know I should have written much sooner.

I can't say why I did not. Out of fear of admitting to myself, you were there, fighting a war. Or maybe ashamed. Ashamed that I never accepted the things you felt you had to do.

Whatever it is, I know how it must hurt. Believe me when I say it hurts me more. I have the burden of your hurt plus that of my own. The pain of not being able to show my true feeling towards you.

I am not writing this for the months you served in Vietnam, but for the many years, you were left alone with only your brother Veterans. You served proudly and it went unmentioned.

For a long time, I've wanted to express the words. The words an honorable Veteran needs to hear. For a long time, I've wanted to hold you during your times of pain.

God knows I wanted to. And only He knows why I never found the courage. I do not remember what I use to say; maybe I do not want to remember.

All I know is I hope that it is not too late to give you those things now.

For years you tried to be part of my world. Doing everything to please me, just to be noticed and given a little time and understanding...

I look back and see the demands I placed on your shoulders when you were young. "Fight your weakness, and always show strength to others around you."

Who was I to make such a demand? I sit here with tears in my heart; finally admitting to myself the one weakness you must have seen in me and never questioned. My inability to say the words that I know would have meant so much to you.

"Welcome Home." You served your country honorably.

Please hear these words now, from my heart. Please give me a chance to be part of your world now. The world I should have been part of long ago.

Love,
America

TO BE A MARINE

Some people think we came from hell, other think we should all go there. Then there are the wise ones who are glad we are around.

So what does it take to be a Marine? I admit, you have to be a bit foolish, a little daring, somewhat adventurous, looking for a challenge and according to most parents - crazy. Why? Because we are special. We train differently, we act differently, we think like no others, we take chances where others never would, we do more with less, we are overflowing with pride.

We wear our uniform with pride, we hold our heads up high with pride and our families are proud of us. Our country respects us, there are those who are not fond of us and the enemy fear us. So, unless you've been a Marine, no one really understands us or what it takes to be a Marine. We are damn proud to be called "Marine."

You can find a former Marine in all walks of life. People say we're dummies, stupid, crazy, obnoxious, animals. They just don't know. I have met former Marines who are lawyers, doctor, artists, police captains, business owners and just about any profession you can imagine. And every former Marine I have met is just as proud now as when they were in the Corps.

Our ways in life and in combat are unconventional, unlike others, daring foolish or rude at times, impetuous, usually tough but always successful. We have been called, "America's 911." We know how to "take it" and we know how to "dish it out." We have gone through boot camp or OCS and became sensitive, caring and loving. Sensitive to what people say about us, caring for our fellow Marine and loving our Corps and country.

The men and women of the Marine Corps are highly motivated and held in high esteem by those who love us, hate us and fear us. We have an ego the size of Texas and a history to back it up. No one can ever take that away from us because we have earned it. When you join the Marine Corps, it's because you want to be a Marine. I know.

Over the past century, we have been looked down upon, insulted, spat on, rejected, degraded, used, abused, exploited and taken advantage of. We love it! We can take it; that's what makes us a Marine. This special treatment.

We are respected and admired by other countries yet not in some social circles in our country. That is just fine because we shall be here, prepared to fight when our country needs us again. And we ask for nothing. That's what it takes to be a Marine.

Gen. George S. Patton could not have said it any better when he said, "The highest obligation and privilege of citizenship it that of bearing arms for one's country."

If it weren't for these crazy, foolhardy, vulgar, wild, gutsy, braggarts who joined the Marine Corps, we would not have a country, a free country. A free country that allows others to call us names. We have protected this country and died for you.

Thank you for that honor.

By Martin E. Shapiro-RVN 1965/66, 1st Bn., 9th Marines

LOOKING BACK

On March 29, 1973, the last combat troops officially withdrew from the Republic of Vietnam, leaving behind Marines to guard American installations and civilian advisors.

Two years later, on April 29, 1975, two U.S. Marines died in an attack on Tan Son Nhut air base only hours before the final U.S. presence in the Southeast Asian country lifted off from the embassy roof and left the country, ending years of American involvement in conflict and bloodshed. Those two Marines were the last Americans to die in the Vietnam War.

Looking back from the vantage point of nearly three decades, it’s difficult now to believe that so many young men were sacrificed. There were no lost rights restored, no liberty gained.

The numbers themselves are horrifying: Three million Americans served in Vietnam and, of those, 58,000 died, another 1,000 listed as missing and more than 150,000 seriously wounded. Most of those who died were young men straight out of high school — kids who hadn’t the time or the direction to nail down a future. Instead of getting jobs or going to college, meeting the right girl, settling down and having a family, these young men ended up carving their way through steaming jungles, fighting a war that wasn’t theirs to win.

The Vietnam War became the main argument for change in the way America goes to war. No longer would the American public simply accept the word of politicians and generals that our presence in a war zone or conflict was of the essence. Instead, they would question every deployment, dissect every move and remain skeptical of U.S. troop commitment overseas.

Onslow County is home to many Vietnam veterans — men and women who answered their country’s call and served honorably, even though their country failed them.

It is also home to families who lost someone in that conflict, like Ted and June Cobun who lost their son, also named Ted, at the age of 20. They’re not alone. There are others in Onslow County who lost brothers and fathers, sons and daughters in a conflict that made little sense at the time and even less sense when glimpsed in the rear-view mirror of history.

Today, there is little to justify what took place in Southeast Asia, and nothing that can bring back the loved ones sacrificed nor restore those wounded both physically and emotionally. But this is one community that treasures the men and women who served there and honors their valor and dedication.

Their sacrifices and those of their families are no different than those of any other soldier, sailor, airman or Marine from any of America’s other wars, and they deserve the nation’s respect and gratitude for what they gave.

The Jacksonville Daily News
April 28, 2002

MEMORIAL GROUPS MAKES PROGRESS