HEALING & SUPPORT

The Vietnam War

From: Linda Harris
Louisiana

“It’s hard to believe the time has passed so quickly, but I can still see your face as if it was yesterday. Being only 18 and thinking life was forever, I now wish that I could have held you longer. Although we were young, we planned our life together to the detail. I knew the moment you were taken from me. I felt my soul leave my body. 1968 is so long ago but I think of you often and remember the wonderful things we shared. I miss you and know that we will me again. When I get to heaven I won’t have to call your name, ‘Sgt. Edward Stewart,’ I will look for your smile.”

From: New Jersey

“Captain John N. Reilly USAF was a young fighter pilot stationed in Da Nang. He flew the F4 Phantom Jet. On November 19th, 1968, a very foggy, rainy night, he was returning from a mission and never made it. He was MIA and his status changed on December 13th, 1968 to KIA. I buried him two days before Christmas that year. It was the end of his young precious life. Did I say that was the end? Just five weeks before the tragedy I gave birth to our son Brian. In one of John’s last letters to me he said he would live long after he died through our son. As I watched lovingly the growth of Brian from Pre-Kindergarten to his Law School graduation to becoming a wonderful father to his three daughters, becoming the finest man I have ever known, I know that John Reilly lives on, through me, through Brian and now through Sarah, Morgan and Claire. The words of a song, ‘I cherish all you gave me every day, for you are my forever love watching over me from up above.’ Till we meet again.”

From: Maureen Bouvier
Massachussetts

"Where has the time gone? It seems like yesterday that you told me you were going to Vietnam, but my heart tells me that it has been a long time since I've seen you. You never did stop by at the house to say goodbye and I still have the medal that I bought to keep you safe. Your mother, sister and myself still grieve for what might have been. We miss you with every passing day and wish you could share with all our happy events. My prayer for you dear Alan is that you are safely in God's arms and are looking down on all the special days of our lives. Until we meet again Alan, you are loved, missed and treasured."

From: Ken Ford
Indiana

"To My Best Friend:
David, I have struggled with the abrupt ending of your life for 37 long years. You were my friend and I was yours during the turbulent sixties. It wasn't popular for a black person and a white person to be friends way back then. We crossed those boundaries and I thank God for your devotion to being a good Christian man. I learned so much from your strengths and weaknesses. You set an example for me that has lasted a lifetime. I miss you so my brother. The world is a little more difficult to live in without you being here. Sleep well.

From:  Kathryn Magee
New York

“My brother-in-law, Sgt. Peter E. Conlin of the 327th Infantry 1BDE 101st Air Born Division, gave his life in ASHU Valley, Vietnam in April 1968…He was a real New York City kid.  Proud and brave and more than ready to fight for his Country.  He paratrooped into many Vietnam jungles with his knife in his teeth and his rifle in his hands.  We are so very proud of the young man he was.  My heart cries for all the young men who didn’t come back and the ones who did but had to be buried.  And the ones who will never be the same.  I haven’t been able to bring myself to take out your old letters and read them again since I put them away, back in April 1968.  We think of you so often and pray over your grave for peace in this crazy world.  Your death must never be in vain.”

From:  LaVern Vivio
Tennessee

“In the sixties, Kenneth Pease was a hired hand on my mom and dad’s farm in Wester, Kentucky.  I never forgot him.  I want people to remember … those who give their lives are real everyday people with real lives, and their sacrifice must not be forgotten or ever taken for granted.  The day Kenneth told me he was going to be a soldier was the day he became my hero.  Not because I really understood what being a soldier during the sixties meant or even where Vietnam was, but maybe it was because he seemed so excited and proud to be going.  I remember the day he left as well as I remember the day the phone call came.  It was one of those calls that you knew wasn’t good news.  I do remember the flag draped coffin and the picture of Kenneth in his uniform and how sad and proud I was all at the same time…Because of Kenneth I never meet a veteran that I don’t thank nor a Vietnam veteran that I don’t want to hug and say I’m sorry for what you went through and then ask if the name Pease rings a bell.”

From: James Kaufman
Wisconsin

"I had friends that lost there lives in Vietnam and now that I'm 60 years old I think of them often. I go out to the cemetery often and talk to Lee Hieder quite often, making sure that no one else around. I wonder what it would be like if he were around. Well maybe we'll see each other in the after life... Good bye......... Lee........ Jim."

From: Carl E. Stone

Major, Transportation Corps, US Army (Retired)
Kennesaw, Georgia 30144

"The entire show was outstanding. I watch it every year and this is one of the best.

”The segment on the Vietman Gold Star Mothers was extremely moving!!!!!!!!!! They lost their sons during the same time that I served there. God Bless all mothers that have had to endure the loss of a son to war.”

From: Sandy Waters
Wisconsin

"Every Memorial Day and Fourth of July I watch the services shown at the White House. It stirs my emotions so. I feel the pride. I feel for our troops, past and present. My heart has a special place for the Vietnam vets. That was my era. If I could only tell every one of them how much I think of them, how much I thank them. If I could only let them feel the love. Oh, what hell they went through. WE WILL NEVER FORGET THEM."

From: Dan Peters

"In Memory of a Man's Man: Wayne Sangillo, my first cousin, served in Company I (India Company) of the 3rd Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division. He was a 21-year old private first class from Milo, Maine, when on November 18, 1968, he was killed in action by small-arms fire in or near Quang Tri, South Vietnam. He had only been in-country about one month at the time of his death. He was a rugged guy, a championship boxer in central Maine, just prior to his enlistment. I still see your bright smile, feel your enthusiasm, the confident swagger. You died not in vain."

From: Karen Aldrich Butler
New York

"I was a little girl out in the country side of Ontario County, NY. We little ones always sat in the front of the bus where the teenagers sat in the back; especially the boys.

”One in particular was a good looking young man who lived down the road and was a friend of my brother's. Kenny Koch was quiet, but you knew he was there. Just one of the kids on our bus. One of the kids from the country.

”He went to Vietnam a young man with a purpose. He came back a memory. A name imprinted on a stone wall. Just a name.

This little girl remembers a kind young man who road her bus to school. A friend from the country. Forever remembered."

From: Capt. J.O. Myhre
Illinois

"Lance Sijan, you are a hero to me besides being a 1965 classmate in a USAF pilot training class in Texas. I am inspired by your heroism and your friendship to all those around you. We miss you. Thank you being able to know you and being a friend. Jerry"

From: Cecil O. Harris
Tennessee

"I served in the USAF Bein Hoa, Vietnam 1964-65. I was one of the lucky ones, I made it home safely. For so many years I tried to forget about it and just live life. It is at times like Memorial Day, seeing the Vietnam wall, that I just have some unshed tears that must come out. I am so fortunate to have an understanding wife, who is so loving and supportive. I will say a prayer for those who paid with their lives and for their families. May God bless you.”

From: Carol F. Weisel
Maryland

"On January 16, 1975, my world crumbled when my husband was killed in an aircraft accident while training at Nellis Air Force Base. He had just returned from Korat, Thailand and we thought the dangerous part of his flying career had passed. I was 6 months pregnant with the child that we were told I could never have. In April 1975, our son, David Jr. was born. He never knew his father but each and every day I see a piece of David in his son. David Jr. feels the presence of his father and is looking forward to the time when he can meet him face to face with God: his hero - his Dad."

From: Texanne Killough-Larson
Pflugerville, Texas 78691

"I lost several very close friends in Vietnam, two who were extra special to me were William Rushing and Ronnie Lazicki both of Austin, Texas. Both of these young men left a lasting memory in my heart and I miss them as much today as I did when I heard they had died. Each in his own way brightened our world just by being a part of it. I graduated with Ronnie and lived not far from Bill. I honor them and the many boys, who are now men, who fought in a war that their fellow American shunned. I am proud to call you my friends."

From: T Graser
New York

"Two of the best, Jerry Seller, Jack Plumb two pilots from the 26th ARS, Plattsburgh AFB who bought the farm in Nam, I will never forget them Jack was my CP Jerry was a friend, I was there when jerry met his wife Jane two great people who were heroes in Nam"

From: Eduardo A. Lombard, Ph.D
Florida

"In Memory Of

Pfc. Bruce W. Carter VietNam Vet 1969

From: Commandant, Eduardo A. (eddie) Lombard
VietNam Vet 1968-1969
United States Marines Corps League”

REFLECTIONS

“Thank you, James, for your ultimate sacrifice you made for your country. It was your dedication as a soldier and man that helped me through that terrible year in Nam. Soldiers like you are what make our freedoms so special. I thank God for people like you and will make sure your sacrifices will never be forgotten.”

Veteran in Virginia