Vietnam vets honored Sunday

MOSES LAKE — The American Legion and the Karneetsa Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution held a commemoration Sunday for veterans of the Vietnam War. March 29, the date the last U.S. service members left Vietnam in 1973, was designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day in 2008. 

“In 2012, our nation launched a 13-yearlong commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War to ensure that every veteran family, caregiver and survivor impacted by the difficult years in Vietnam feels our nation's gratitude for their sacrifice,” said DAR member Stephanie Massart, who led the event. “Every service member of the Vietnam generation should know that their sacrifices matter and that their service made a difference.” 

Between 15 and 20 people turned out for the event at the American Legion Post in Moses Lake, which honored veterans of the U.S. armed services who served between 1955 and 1975. Massart gave the assembled veterans pins and certificates to honor their service and read a proclamation from Moses Lake Mayor Dustin Swartz. Refreshments were served afterward. 

“More than 9 million Americans served during the Vietnam War era, including more than 2.7 million in Southeast Asia,” Swartz wrote in the proclamation. “Of these, 1,050 came from Washington, including nine from Moses Lake. American losses were significant: 58,260 U.S. service members lost their lives, including 197 from Washington state. Of these, 55 are still missing and unaccounted for.” 

The proclamation also acknowledged that those veterans who did return were frequently not treated as heroes, but criticized for taking part in the war. 

Several veterans present recounted some of their experiences. 

“I served in the United States Navy 1963-1967,” said David Gwinnett. “I went aboard ship as a greenhorn out of boot camp.” 

Gwinnett served on the ship’s boat crew, keeping the captain’s gig ready for use on a moment’s notice. He also served on a river gunboat. 

“There were some terrible things I saw,” Gwinnett said. “A lot of boys came out as men. My dad was in the Navy, his brother was in the Navy, his other brother was in the Navy, and it went through the family … I’m proud of what I did, and if I had to do it again, it’s questionable. I praise the Lord for all the members that did serve during the Vietnam War.” 

America’s involvement in Vietnam began in 1950, according to the David Westphall Veterans Association website, when Pres. Harry Truman sent 35 advisors to assist the French military in putting down a rebellion in what was then French Indochina. The 1954 Geneva Accords split French Indochina into two independent nations, communist North Vietnam and non-communist South Vietnam, and President Dwight Eisenhower had promised military support to South Vietnam against its neighbor to the north. The war escalated rapidly in the 1960s, and American involvement ended with a truce agreement in 1973, when the last U.S. Military personnel left and the prisoners of war were officially released. Issues regarding the return of all prisoners of war continue to this day. The war came to an end with the defeat of South Vietnam and the fall of Saigon in 1975. 

Veteran Larry McCarthy was one of the first U.S. military personnel sent to Vietnam, he said. 

“When I went, I was going to French Indochina,” McCarthy said. “I got there Sept. 8, 1954. We didn’t know it was Vietnam until later on.” 

Mike McDaniel served as a Seabee, in the Navy’s construction battalion, he said. 

“We built the hospital on China Beach in 1965 and ’66,” he said. 

All military veterans who served during the Vietnam era were honored, whether they had served in the Vietnam theater or not. 

“I was a medical corpsman, and I signed up to go to Vietnam, but they wouldn’t let the women corpsmen go over,” said Dolores Keith.  

Keith finished her military service in 2004, she said. 

“On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor all those who bravely served in the Vietnam War and who sacrificed, as did their families and caregivers, on behalf of our nation,” Massart said. “For almost two decades, Americans raised their right hands and committed to serve and defend our Constitution as uniformed members of the United States during a tumultuous period in our country's history. Throughout the years of the Vietnam War, 9 million Americans earned the title of United States veteran. Today and every day, we honor their bravery and commitment and give thanks to a generation of Americans who valiantly fought in service of the country they love.” 

    Between 15 and 20 people came to the American Legion in Moses Lake Sunday for the commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
  

    From left: Lena Young, Daughters of the American Revolution member Stephanie Massart and U.S. Army veteran Dolores Keith at the National Vietnam War Veterans Day commemoration Sunday. The veteran who attended were given certificates and pins to honor their service.