thedrifter
04-20-08, 07:10 AM
Vietnam vets remembered now
A generation stepped up for its nation
April 20, 2008 - 12:28AM
HEATHER GALE
THE DAILY NEWS
The Vietnam War was "misreported" at the time, and now the veterans of that war are being "misremembered by the country they served," Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson said Saturday at Jacksonville's Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day ceremony.
"Every generation steps forward and serves their country," said Dickerson, commander of Marine Corps Installations East and the guest speaker for the ceremony, held at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. "Without them, we wouldn't have a military and it is important to recognize all the generations (that have served.)"
Camp Lejeune Marines performed a 21-gun salute and played taps, while Dickerson and veterans laid a wreath in memory of fallen Vietnam veterans.
Jim Slaughter, who died three years ago, started the recognition day six or seven years ago, said his widow, Barbara Slaughter.
"He wanted to recognize them and honor them for what they did," Barbara Slaughter said. "The way the men were coming home and being ridiculed was horrible."
Jacksonville Councilwoman Alva Williams said it was important for her to be at the ceremony because the Vietnam War was during her generation.
"I had a lot of friends and family that fought in Vietnam and they will always have a special place in my heart," she said. "In fact, my brother-in-law fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam."
Representatives from Jacksonville and Onslow County read a proclamation naming April 19 as Vietnam Veteran's Day.
Hank Hangsleben, president of the local chapter of Rolling Thunder, said it was important for the motorcycle group to be at the recognition day because 50 percent of them are veterans.
"We want to support our own and let people know about the POW-MIA issue from World War II, Korea and Vietnam," he said. "Currently there are 1,763 people still missing from the Vietnam War and 44 are from North Carolina."
Rolling Thunder Inc. is a non-profit organization working to educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind, to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war or missing in action, according to the organization's Web site.
Jacksonville's Rolling Thunder members have a patch with an eagle with a chain around its leg linked to the countries of Lagos, Vietnam and Cambodia on the back of their leather jackets
"Until we get all of our people out," Hangsleben said. "We will always be chained to Vietnam."
The Military Order of Devil Dogs was also present, as well as the Beirut Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
"We were forgotten when we came home," said George M. Barrows, Sr., past Chief Devil Dog. "We want to perpetuate the memory of those who served in Vietnam and those still in Vietnam."
Mac McGee, past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said the country can't forget what veterans do everyday.
"If we do forget these traditions, we aren't going to have a country," he said. "(The veterans and military) are the core of our country. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have freedom."
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-353-1171 ext. 8464.
Ellie
A generation stepped up for its nation
April 20, 2008 - 12:28AM
HEATHER GALE
THE DAILY NEWS
The Vietnam War was "misreported" at the time, and now the veterans of that war are being "misremembered by the country they served," Maj. Gen. Robert C. Dickerson said Saturday at Jacksonville's Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day ceremony.
"Every generation steps forward and serves their country," said Dickerson, commander of Marine Corps Installations East and the guest speaker for the ceremony, held at the Coastal Carolina State Veterans Cemetery. "Without them, we wouldn't have a military and it is important to recognize all the generations (that have served.)"
Camp Lejeune Marines performed a 21-gun salute and played taps, while Dickerson and veterans laid a wreath in memory of fallen Vietnam veterans.
Jim Slaughter, who died three years ago, started the recognition day six or seven years ago, said his widow, Barbara Slaughter.
"He wanted to recognize them and honor them for what they did," Barbara Slaughter said. "The way the men were coming home and being ridiculed was horrible."
Jacksonville Councilwoman Alva Williams said it was important for her to be at the ceremony because the Vietnam War was during her generation.
"I had a lot of friends and family that fought in Vietnam and they will always have a special place in my heart," she said. "In fact, my brother-in-law fought in World War II, Korea and Vietnam."
Representatives from Jacksonville and Onslow County read a proclamation naming April 19 as Vietnam Veteran's Day.
Hank Hangsleben, president of the local chapter of Rolling Thunder, said it was important for the motorcycle group to be at the recognition day because 50 percent of them are veterans.
"We want to support our own and let people know about the POW-MIA issue from World War II, Korea and Vietnam," he said. "Currently there are 1,763 people still missing from the Vietnam War and 44 are from North Carolina."
Rolling Thunder Inc. is a non-profit organization working to educate the public that many American prisoners of war were left behind, to help correct the past and to protect future veterans from being left behind should they become prisoners of war or missing in action, according to the organization's Web site.
Jacksonville's Rolling Thunder members have a patch with an eagle with a chain around its leg linked to the countries of Lagos, Vietnam and Cambodia on the back of their leather jackets
"Until we get all of our people out," Hangsleben said. "We will always be chained to Vietnam."
The Military Order of Devil Dogs was also present, as well as the Beirut Memorial Chapter of the Military Order of the Purple Heart.
"We were forgotten when we came home," said George M. Barrows, Sr., past Chief Devil Dog. "We want to perpetuate the memory of those who served in Vietnam and those still in Vietnam."
Mac McGee, past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart, said the country can't forget what veterans do everyday.
"If we do forget these traditions, we aren't going to have a country," he said. "(The veterans and military) are the core of our country. If it wasn't for them, we wouldn't have freedom."
Contact city and county government reporter Heather Gale at hgale@freedomenc.com or 910-353-1171 ext. 8464.
Ellie