Menifee, a city that is considered to be very ‘veteran friendly,’ once again took time to conduct its 4th Annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans at Paloma Valley High School on Thursday, March 28.
Greeting the more than 40 Vietnam War Veterans that special day was a decommissioned Bell-UH-1 Iroquois military helicopter commonly known as the “Huey” with the motto “Never Again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” Veterans from the Army, Marines, Air Force, and Coast Guard were greeted by city and county officials, and cadets from Paloma Valley High School NJROTC, dressed in Class A uniforms bearing armed forces units and state flags to honor the men and women who served in the Vietnam War.
The Huey brought back many memories of that conflict that cost more than 58,000 American lives. Yet, perhaps the saddest memories of these servicemen and women, seen as heroes on this day in Menifee, came on their return to America, where some were greeted with name-calling by many university students and even refused jobs and other opportunities normally given to those returning from war and international conflicts.
This day, Menifee residents responded by honoring those valiant men and women who served as nurses during the Vietnam War, who live in Menifee and other nearby communities. It was a long time in coming, with some Vietnam Veterans and their spouses wiping away their tears.
Dr. Terry Russell, GySgt USMC (Ret.) and leader/teacher of the Paloma Valley NJROTC welcomed the Vietnam Vets attending. His ROTC cadets posted the Colors while Sofia Bedolla, PVHS student, sang the National Anthem. All members of the Menifee City Council took time to greet and speak in honor of the Vietnam Veterans and their families.
Popular Menifee singer Anahi Rodriquez sang the Armed Forces Medley, having members of each branch of service stand and be recognized at their anthem.
Guest and keynote speaker Rod Fink, a US Navy Corpsman in that conflict, recalled his experiences in Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 9th Marines in Keh Shan, Vietnam. His treatment of fellow wounded Marines from what today is called “The Walking Dead” battalion. That battalion saw hundreds of its soldiers die and others wounded and living with the haunting post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) that Fink himself suffered for a time from those horrible wartime memories.
Another veteran, Matthew Gilmore, ET1, US Navy (ret.) in giving the explanation of the P.O.W./M.I.A. Table Recognition placed on stage, recalled those moments many Vietnam Vets came home to the disdain and criticism from many young Americans offering the table as a means to never forget those servicemen and servicewomen still missing in action, or held as prisoners from the Vietnam War and other wars. He recalled not wanting to wear a uniform or say he served in the military for years as a result of that disdain. Assisting Gilmore at the table was Ed Samuelson, MSgt, USMC (ret).
In conclusion, Corpsman Fink and Steve George, PO3, US Navy, performed the Laying of the Wreath while Taps was played in the background in honor for those who died in that war.
Dr. Russell gave the closing remarks at the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans special event.
Each Vietnam Veteran was honored by the city with a t-shirt, recognition medals, magnetic stickers and grateful thanks for their service in the armed forces.
Tony Ault can be reached at tault@reedermedia.com.
