thedrifter
04-29-06, 07:55 AM
April 29, 2006
Event melds war veterans
Tradition brings together many generations
BY R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY
Stepping ramrod straight in crisp camouflage, U.S. Army Specialist Travis Talbert slowly scanned the names engraved in the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
"It's a chance to reflect on the past," the 23-year-old Talbert said.
About halfway through his visit to the memorial, he took up a conversation with Vietnam veterans two and three times older.
Despite the generation gap, the camaraderie and mutual respect was evident among the soldiers -- a brotherhood despite their varied years of service. It's a show of solidarity that's in abundance at this year's Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park.
"These young men and ladies here are my heroes," said Richard Hunt, who served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968. "We welcome them here always."
To the older veterans, the new generation of military men and women are the ones who will carry on long-established traditions such as the 19th annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion. Their participation, however, also is essential in keeping alive military history and sustaining aging veteran organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard.
"We need to get these young people involved," said Bill Sauerwine, a Vietnam veteran. "We figure in five more years, we'll be too old to put all this stuff up. I'll be 70 years old."
Despite the age gap and the different tours of duty, the younger veterans are likely to move in to carry on the organizations, said Robert Johnson, a professor of sociology at the University of Miami.
"It would not be the first time that has happened in history," he said.
For the younger veterans, participation goes much beyond a tradition of involvement in military organizations.
"They like to see the continuation of patriotism of the young guys and gals," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Darby, a 35-year-old stationed at Patrick Air Force Base.
Darby and three other airmen from the base were at the reunion to participate in a demonstration with their military security dogs.
"There's always a sense of camaraderie," said Staff Sgt. Eduard Morales, who served in Iraq. "It's showing our support. Pretty soon we'll be in the same place."
Talbert, who lives in Palm Bay, wants to carry on traditions established by the older veterans and encourages other young military personnel, even those who served short periods, to do the same.
"A lot more people need to get involved," said Talbert, a reservist with the 841st Engineering Battalion who served four years as a Navy Seabee and will go on active duty with the Army in two weeks. "The younger people, even if they did it for four or six years, they still should help out."
Arleen Pitts did. Though not active because of other commitments, she followed in her father's footsteps and joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars. And, she believes her son, who is serving in the Army, also will become a member of the veterans groups.
"He's very much into the military," said Pitts, who retired after serving in the Army and Air Force for 24 years.
Her son, Eric McCloskey, 25, and those of his generation are the ones who will be ready to take over the military veteran organizations.
"I think it's up to them to carry it on," Pitts said.
Harold Carthier of Melbourne, a veteran of World War II, thanked the four airmen from Patrick Air Force Base at the reunion.
"It's a privilege for me to do that," he said.
Contact Moody at 242-3651 or nmoody@flatoday.net
Ellie
Event melds war veterans
Tradition brings together many generations
BY R. NORMAN MOODY
FLORIDA TODAY
Stepping ramrod straight in crisp camouflage, U.S. Army Specialist Travis Talbert slowly scanned the names engraved in the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall.
"It's a chance to reflect on the past," the 23-year-old Talbert said.
About halfway through his visit to the memorial, he took up a conversation with Vietnam veterans two and three times older.
Despite the generation gap, the camaraderie and mutual respect was evident among the soldiers -- a brotherhood despite their varied years of service. It's a show of solidarity that's in abundance at this year's Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion at Wickham Park.
"These young men and ladies here are my heroes," said Richard Hunt, who served with the Marines in Vietnam in 1968. "We welcome them here always."
To the older veterans, the new generation of military men and women are the ones who will carry on long-established traditions such as the 19th annual Vietnam and All Veterans Reunion. Their participation, however, also is essential in keeping alive military history and sustaining aging veteran organizations, such as the Veterans of Foreign Wars, American Legion and the Vietnam and All Veterans of Brevard.
"We need to get these young people involved," said Bill Sauerwine, a Vietnam veteran. "We figure in five more years, we'll be too old to put all this stuff up. I'll be 70 years old."
Despite the age gap and the different tours of duty, the younger veterans are likely to move in to carry on the organizations, said Robert Johnson, a professor of sociology at the University of Miami.
"It would not be the first time that has happened in history," he said.
For the younger veterans, participation goes much beyond a tradition of involvement in military organizations.
"They like to see the continuation of patriotism of the young guys and gals," said Air Force Staff Sgt. Gregory Darby, a 35-year-old stationed at Patrick Air Force Base.
Darby and three other airmen from the base were at the reunion to participate in a demonstration with their military security dogs.
"There's always a sense of camaraderie," said Staff Sgt. Eduard Morales, who served in Iraq. "It's showing our support. Pretty soon we'll be in the same place."
Talbert, who lives in Palm Bay, wants to carry on traditions established by the older veterans and encourages other young military personnel, even those who served short periods, to do the same.
"A lot more people need to get involved," said Talbert, a reservist with the 841st Engineering Battalion who served four years as a Navy Seabee and will go on active duty with the Army in two weeks. "The younger people, even if they did it for four or six years, they still should help out."
Arleen Pitts did. Though not active because of other commitments, she followed in her father's footsteps and joined the Veterans of Foreign Wars. And, she believes her son, who is serving in the Army, also will become a member of the veterans groups.
"He's very much into the military," said Pitts, who retired after serving in the Army and Air Force for 24 years.
Her son, Eric McCloskey, 25, and those of his generation are the ones who will be ready to take over the military veteran organizations.
"I think it's up to them to carry it on," Pitts said.
Harold Carthier of Melbourne, a veteran of World War II, thanked the four airmen from Patrick Air Force Base at the reunion.
"It's a privilege for me to do that," he said.
Contact Moody at 242-3651 or nmoody@flatoday.net
Ellie