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In Memory Program

I am writing this in honor of my father Eugene Rommel. My father served in the Army and was deployed to Viet Nam in 1966-67. My father was one of the lucky ones who survived and was able to come back home, with out the battle scars of war to include exposure to agent orange and PTSD.

Dad was a real patriot and family man. He believed in the 6 F's, Faith, Freedom, Family, Friends, Fishing and Food. He as a good cook and would not hesitate to cook any meals.

At some point he had stepped onto a carpenters tack that went thru his shoe and caused a severe infection. He had not felt any pain in his foot due to diabetic neuropathy. His right lower leg was amputated then fitted for a prosthetic leg. He would then walk in the sand at the beach to learn to regain his balance and walking abilities. Had his van retrofitted with a left foot accelerator and started driving all over again.

The people where he got his prosthetic leg from were so impressed with his determination and love of life, they made an aquatic leg for him out of spare parts and gave freely to him. Oh boy, that gave him so much further independence, he could stand to shower, go clam digging, surf fishing and even take his boat on the ocean to drop and pick up his crab pots. It was common for he and mom to have fresh crab for breakfast.

My father died prematurely at the age of 64. My dad qualified for being honored at the Viet Nam Wall, for the "IN MEMORY PROGRAM". Mom had submit required documentation they verified. Once a year VV Memorial honors those who died prematurely due to service related causes. Mom submitted his picture and a biography that was shown and read along with others being honored that year. Later they sent mom a CD with the whole program on it.

Many veterans I have spoken with were not aware of this program. Sharing it now so you will know.

PATRICIA WELD
GLENDALE, AZ

Korea Nov. 22, 1963. The day President Kennedy was shot ! One week of Alert !

In the predawn hours of Nov.22, 1963 the lights flashed on as the duty officer came rushing through our hootch shouting the "President" was shot as he proceeded to the other end of our hootch then out the other door and turned off the lights. We were not quite awake for the 15 seconds it took effect him to pass through, most of us barely awake didn't quite understand what was said and went back to sleep thinking someone was pulling a joke or something. Not uncommon for a guard to flip the lights on and off just for the heck of it !
An hour or so later we were reawanked again informing us what had taken place and instructed us that an "Alert" was in process and we were to draw our weapons put on our combat gear and proced to the motor pool where all the drivers lined up there Tanks /Trucks at the road through Camp Beavers 1/73rd Armor Div. this road ran north or south, and depending what would happen with in the next hour would dictate our move out direction north toward North Korea or South toward Soul S.K.
We were kept in the motor pool for some time only going for showers and latreen with permission. The paremiter fences were guarded with two layers 24/7. The M48A1 Tanks were loaded with Amao , all 2 1/2 s and 5 ton trucks were loaded for move out!

We didn't know what was going to happen but that fact that Presendt Kennedy was shot and then later finding out he died from his wounds , that week of uncerenty allowed lots of speculation to say the least. All said and done the Alert was canceled. And we went back to regular duty .
If not for the grace of God cooler heads prevailed !

Hq. Co. Tank Mechanic At 72 still willing to serve again if needed ! To the best of my memory!

Anonymous
Hanover, PA

My big brother, David Aldaco

My brother, David Aldaco, passed away on February 28, 2016, one day after our father's birthday. He died from cancer. David served in the U.S. Marines, and also served in Vietnam as a language interpreter, recon/sniper. Not too many people can say they could do this job. I want him to know that I am proud of him and his country is proud of him for his service. He deserves that credit. Our father got special permission to take photographs during his training at boot camp at Camp Pendleton. It was nice until we had to say goodbye when he left for Vietnam. It was such a blessing to have him return to us alive. All of us are proud of you David. I will miss you brother and always love you. Mom will too even though she can't tell you with her illness. Thank you for your service and all of those serving in the armed forces now and in the past. God bless all of you.

Anonymous
Whittier, CA

My father

My father John Honer,was in the navy, 1941 to 1946. He kept a log every day, which I still have. He never spoke of it. About 12 years later my half brother, Bobby joined the Navy. He never made it through boot camp. My dad brought him home. He was never the same after. He stayed in his room and never spoke to anyone. When I was 12 I saw my dad walk out the front door, told me he loved me. 3 days later they found his body washed onshore. He jumped off the Delaware bridge. Looking back there were signs but no one talked about it then. If it were today he would still be alive. I am an advocate for helping veterans. Finally people are realizing the stress and trauma our veterans come home with. Unless you were there you could never imagine the damage. Please take the time to hug or shake a hand of a veteran, no matter where you are.
Thank you for your time

jacq walker
Brigantine, NJ

Vietnam 69-70

I served with XXIV Corp in Phu Bai as a 96 bravo, military intelligence analyst in 69-70.
I would love to here from any other guys who served there at that time with that unit. It's been a long time since serving but am proud to have served my country.

Peter W. Smith
Lockport, NY

The Blue Water Navy

In 1977, the first claims of Agent Orange exposure came flooding into the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). But it took 14 years for Congress to actually listen, take action and give our Vietnam veterans the benefits they deserved.

The Agent Orange Act of 1991 was implemented to provide much-needed care to veterans who were exposed to the harmful chemical cocktail Agent Orange. Many of us thought the fight to get the medical attention we deserved was over, but that wasn’t the case. In 2002, the VA amended its initial plan and excluded thousands of “Blue Water” Navy vets -- who served right off the coast -- from receiving our rightful benefits. Because we hadn’t served on land, the VA tried to say we were unlikely to suffer the effects of Agent Orange poisoning. Even though we didn’t serve on Vietnamese soil, we were still exposed to Agent Orange. In fact, a 2011 study by the National Institute of Medicine found that Blue Water veterans could have been exposed in multiple ways, including via the ships’ water distillation system and through the air. The 2009 IOM update stated “Given the available evidence, the committee recommends that members of the Blue Water Navy should not be excluded from the set of Vietnam-era veterans with presumed herbicide exposure.”

Last year, the VA finally extended benefits to Air Force crew members who flew in C-123s after they had been used in Vietnam to spray the toxic cocktail. The VA came to the realization that even the slightest exposure to this chemical had serious effects on a soldier's health. So why are the Navy vets’ pleas being ignored? We breathed the Agent Orange-polluted air that drifted from the coast and drank water sprinkled with the herbicide, and now our bodies are paying the cost.

That's why I'm a Veterans Advocate today.

Raymond Melninkaitis
Beacon Falls, CT

Stories about my grandpa

i never met my grandpa John Glenn Lloyd. All I know is that he started and taught the paratroopers. Even when on one of his jumps he broke both legs and his hip, he retired from the military. The military called him back to continue teaching the paratroopers, which he did. And that is all I know about my grandpas life as told to me from my dad. So I am hoping that anyone that knew of him and maybe has pictures of him then that would be greatly appreciated.

Anonymous
Kimberly, ID

Memorial Day Recognition & Celebration

Remembrance
To remember is to honor, to impart dignity, to define purpose, it also reflects our values and creates a legacy.

This will be year #4. Always the week before Memorial Day we honor all those who are serving today, veterans, first responders, 9/11 victims, and those who have served and passed away. We honored 33 veterans and active duty. We had 238 crosses for veterans who have served our country and have passed away. This is our opportunity to say thank you to those who are still living, and to remember those who fought for our freedom by honoring them with a cross. Our oldest veteran who is still alive that we honored was 93 who served in WWII.

The crosses have the name of a soldier/sailor/first responder
Year they were born
What war they fought in
John 15:13 bible verse

Our cross count who served in wars

American Revolutionary Wary - 5 Individuals
War of 1812 - 2 Individuals
Civil War - 13 Individuals
Spanish American War - 1 Individual
World War I - 10 Individuals
World War II - 62 Individuals
Pacific Theater - 3 Individual
European Arena - 2 Individual
Korea - 20 Individuals
Vietnam - 61 Individuals
Persian Gulf War - 2 Individuals
Operation Enduring Freedom - 22 Individuals
Operation Iraqi Freedom - 22 Individuals
Operation New Dawn - 1 Individual
Jesus - 1 Cross

A Right we are Born With - A Gift we must Fight For - A Life Heroes Die For -
This is why we Celebrate Freedom and why we have our special ceremony every year

"No one has greater love than this - who lays down his life for his friends"
John 15:13

Anonymous
Graham, WA

Heroes All

HEROES ALL

They left their homes, their families’ love; they left at night, to do what’s right.
They knew the odds; it mattered not, if not them, then who? To do what’s right.
Standing tall and proud, most so young, some too old, heroes all, their stories told.
I’ll never know their kind of bravery, I didn’t join, I didn’t serve, sadly I wasn’t bold.
Thanks to all, brave heroes many, sons and daughters, some gave a little, some gave all.
Our peace and welfare, our way of life you guarantied, gratefully, you answered the call.
In your debt, America knows the price you paid, your families’ toll, God bless your soul.
To the Men and Women of Americas’ Armed Forces, and all that served;

Thank you for your service

Allan Whitlock 2/25/2016

Allan Whitlock
Taylorsville, UT

Caleb Erickson Memorial Day

We are a group of moms who God put together in support of Gold Star Mother, Karla Erickson, after the loss of her son, Marine Cpl. Caleb Erickson, in service to his country on February 28, 2014. Now in our 3rd year, the Caleb Erickson Memorial Event has grown to include a fun run/walk for all ages, an all wheels ride including everything from motorcycles to classic cars or whatever you choose to follow in the procession with called "Caleb's Convoy", a full service delicious lunch with all the trimmings, and as always culminating with a graveside service at Woodville Cemetery to honor Caleb. We are all honored to serve in memory of Caleb and in support of Karla, Caleb's sister Rue, and his father Barry, who's courage inspires us all every day.

All the day's events and more can be found at calebericksonmemorial.com

Anonymous
Waseca, MN