VIETNAM DEDICATION & TRIBUTE PAGE

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"She is ever watchful....
and her talons are treacherous!!"

~~~VIETNAM WAR ~~~
U.S.ARMED FORCES CASUALTIES IN VIETNAM WAR
[Roughly 1964 thru 1973]
Killed in Action-- 58,148-- Wounded in Action-- 270,00-- MIA / POW-- 2,200
[Note: 5 of the KIA's were only 16 yrs.old]

[ Graphic by Charles Thompson ... thank you Charlie ]

MEDAL OF HONOR

USMC INSIGNIA L/CPL ROY M. WHEAT

WHEAT, ROY M.
Lance Corporal, U.S. Marine Corps
Company K, 3d Battalion, 7th Marine, 1st Marine Div.
Republic of Vietnam, 11 August 1967
Entered service at: Jackson, Miss.
Born: 24 July 1947, Moselle, Miss.
Serial Number: 2242728
Start of Tour: 11 March 1967
Date of Casualty: Friday, August 11, 1967
Age at time of loss: 20
Casualty type: (A1) Hostile, died
Reason: Multiple fragmentation wounds (Ground casualty)
Country: South VietNam
Province: Quang Nam
The Wall: Panel 24E - Row 101

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty. L/Cpl. Wheat and 2 other marines were assigned the mission of providing security for a Navy construction battalion crane and crew operating along Liberty Road in the vicinity of the Dien Ban District, Quang Nam Province. After the marines had set up security positions in a tree line adjacent to the work site, L/Cpl. Wheat reconnoitered the area to the rear of their location for the possible presence of guerrillas. He then returned to within 10 feet of the friendly position, and here unintentionally triggered a well concealed, bounding type, antipersonnel mine. Immediately, a hissing sound was heard which was identified by the 3 marines as that of a burning time fuse. Shouting a warning to his comrades, L/Cpl. Wheat in a valiant act of heroism hurled himself upon the mine, absorbing the tremendous impact of the explosion with his body.
The inspirational personal heroism and extraordinary valor of his unselfish action saved his fellow marines from certain injury and possible death, reflected great credit upon himself, and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and the U.S. Naval Service.
He gallantly gave his life for his country.

A posthumous crisp 'Salute & A Prayer' for you "ROY"

IN LOVING MEMORY OF FLOYD G TALLEY

SP4 FLOYD G TALLEY U.S. ARMY (MEDIC)

196th Light Infantry Brigade 1/46 Delta Co. Americal Div.
Active service May 13, 1969 to Dec. 8, 1969
Born on Apr 12, 1948
21 year old Married, Male, Cau.
Hometown -- Scottsville, KY.
KIA Dec 08, 1969
QUANG TIN, SOUTH VIETNAM
Hostile, died of wounds
GROUND CASUALTY
GUN, Small arms fire
Body was recovered
Religion Baptist
Wall Panel 15W - - Line 40

Silver Star Bronze Star Purple Heart

Good Conduct Nat.Defense Vietnam Svc. Nam Campaign

Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm.

Regina Talley, (Floyd's sister) provided me with all the info. above...
Thank you Regina for sharing even in your sorrow.

~~*~ Not this "ole gal"...NEVER!!! ~*~~

Below is the photo of the only National Guard Infantry
unit to serve in Vietnam. Company 'D' (Ranger) 151st Infantry.
This well trained unit gained considerable fame in Nam.
Sp4 Walter Hasty (2nd left) is being interviewed by a reporter at the
'Bien Hoi' air base just after they returned from a patrol.

OUR MEN IN NAM

Who'll Take the Son?

A wealthy man and his son loved to collect rare works of art.
They had everything in their collection, from Picasso to Raphael.
They would often sit together and admire the great works of art.
When the Viet Nam conflict broke out, the son went to war.
He was very courageous and died in battle while rescuing another soldier.
The father was notified and grieved deeply for his only son.
About a month later, just before Christmas, there was a knock at the door.
A young man stood at the door with a large package in his hands.
He said,"Sir, you don't know me, but I am the soldier for whom your son gave his life.
He saved many lives that day, and he was carrying me
to safety when a bullet struck him in the heart and he died instantly.
He often talked about you, and your love for art.
The young man held out his package. "I know this isn't much.
I'm not really a great artist, but I think your son
would have wanted you to have this."
The father opened the package. It was a portrait of his son, painted by the young man.
He stared in awe at the way the soldier had captured the
personality of his son in the painting.
The father was so drawn to the eyes that his own eyes welled up with tears.
He thanked the young man and offered to pay him for the picture.
"Oh, no sir, I could never repay what your son did for me.
It's a gift."
The father hung the portrait over his mantle.
Every time visitors came to his home he took them to see the portrait of his son before he showed them any of the other great works he had collected.
The man died a few months later. There was to be a great auction of his paintings.
Many influential people gathered, excited over seeing
the great paintings and having an opportunity to purchase one for their collection.
On the platform sat the painting of the son.
The auctioneer pounded his gavel.
"We will start the bidding with this picture of the son.
Who will bid for this picture?" There was silence.
Then a voice in the back of the room shouted.
"We want to see the famous paintings.
Skip this one." But the auctioneer persisted.
"Will someone bid for this painting? Who will start the bidding? $100, $200?"
Another voice shouted angrily. "We didn't come to see this painting.
We came to see the Van Goghs, the Rembrandts. Get on with the real bids"
But still the auctioneer continued. "The son The son Who'll take the son?"
Finally, a voice came from the very back of the room.
It was the long time gardener of the man and his son. "I'll give $10 for the painting."
Being a poor man, it was all he could afford.
"We have $10, who will bid $20?"
"Give it to him for $10. Let's see the masters."
"$10 is the bid, won't someone bid $20?" The crowd was becoming angry.
They didn't want the picture of the son.
They wanted the more worthy investments for their collections.
The auctioneer pounded the gavel.
"Going once, twice, SOLD for $10"
A man sitting on the second row shouted. "Now let's get on with the collection"
The auctioneer laid down his gavel. "I'm sorry, the auction is over."
"What about the paintings?" "I am sorry. When I was called to
conduct this auction, I was told of a secret stipulation in the will.
I was not allowed to reveal that stipulation until this time.
Only the painting of the son would be auctioned.
Whoever bought that painting would inherit the entire estate, including the paintings.
The man who took the son gets every thing"
God gave His son 2,000 years ago to die on a cruel cross.
Much like the auctioneer, His message today is, "The son, the son, who'll take the son?"
Because, you see, whoever takes the Son gets everything.

~~ Author unknown ~~

THE AMERICAN DREAM.....hmmmmm!!!!

Joe Smith a veteran of two wars, started the day
early, having set his alarm clock (made in Japan),
for 6:00 A.M. While his coffee pot (made in Japan),
is perking, he puts his blow dryer
(made in Taiwan) to work and shaves with his
electric razor (made in Hong Kong).
He puts on a dress shirt (made in Taiwan), his
designer jeans (made in Singapore), and a pair of
tennis shoes (made in Korea).
After cooking up some breakfast n his new electric
skillet (made in Philippines), he sits down to
figure out on his calculator (made in Mexico), how
much he can spend today. After setting his watch
(made in Switzerland), to the radio (made in Hong
Kong), he goes out, gets in his car
(made in Germany), goes looking as he has been
for months, for a good paying American job.
After the end of another discouraging and fruitless
day, Joe decides to relax for a while.
He puts on a pair of sandals (made in Brazil),
pours himself a glass of wine (made in France),
and turns on his TV (made in Japan),
and ponders again why he can't find a good paying American job.

The following poem was written by 20 year old, Lance Corporal Gregory Jerome VanDeWalle from San Antonio, Texas on May 13th, 1967. The poem was sealed in an envelope and sent home. The following morning, a few hours after he had written the poem, Greg was killed in a CAC unit that got overrun by Sappers and NVA regulars in Quang Nam Province, South Vietnam.

WORLDS BEST WAR MACHINE

You sit at home and watch TV,
And sip a glass of icy tea.
The news comes on and then you hear
The All-Star game is drawing near.
Then you see a far-off land
Where men are dying in the sand.
Forget the guy across the sea,
He's far away and doesn't concern me.
He's waging a war
To keep the fight from your door.
Do you realize what he'll do ?
Like giving up his life for you.
Yet he asks nothing in return,
So you can stay in school and learn.
The college crowd thinks he is a fool,
That's what makes him hard and cruel.
Some will be heroes because they're brave,
Others will earn an earthen grave.
You'll spot him as he passes by,
There is a sad, but proud look in his eye.
He's the world's best war machine - -
He's a United States Marine.

IMAGES OF VIETNAM

Graphic by Jules... if you use please link to https://www.angelfire.com/ar/jule2/index.html

Below is a letter 'Larry' sent to his
Mom & Dad on 11 Sept. '69:

"LAST LETTER HOME"

11-Sept.-69
Dear Mom and Dad,

Getting short, Mom, coming home pretty soon. Going to quit flying soon, too much for me now. I went in front of a board for Sp/5 will know soon if I made it. I have now 20 oak leaf clusters and some more paper for you. I have flown 1500 hours now, and in those hours I could tell you a lifetime story.
I have been put in for a medal again, but this time I have seen far beyond of what ever you will see. That is why I'm going to quit flying.
I dream of Valerie's hand touching mine telling me to come home; but I wake up, and it's some sergeant telling me I have to fly.
Today I am 21, far away but coming home older.

Love,
Larry
I'm sad to say, Larry died within 24 hours after
this letter was written; and by that time, it
really was his 21st birthday in the States.
Parts of my song titled "Not Gonna Make It" came from this letter.
Larry was in the 129th AHC, Dec. '68 til Sept.'69....MARK

A proud salute to the Australian and New Zealand fighting forces...

Another proud salute to the
CANADIAN ARMED FORCES

Subject: Name this country...

709,000 regular (active duty) service personnel
293,000 reserve troops;
Eight standing army divisions;
20 air force and navy air wings with 2,000 combat aircraft;
232 strategic bombers;
13 strategic ballistic missile submarines,
warheads on 232 missiles; 500 ICBMs with 1,950 warheads;
Four aircraft carriers, and; 121 surface combat ships and submarines,
plus all the support bases, shipyards and logistical assets needed to sustain such a naval force.
Is this country Russia? . . . No
Red China ? . . . No
Great Britain ? . . . Wrong Again
USA? . . . Hardly
Give Up?
Well, don't feel too bad if you are unable to identify this global superpower because this country no longer exists.
It has vanished.
These are the American military forces that have disappeared since the 1992 elections.
Sleep well, America.

APRIL 16, 2000

Washington, DC - Congressman Steve Kuykendall today paid tribute to those men and women, military and civilian, who bravely served in the Vietnam War. Kuykendall made his remarks in support of H. Con. Res. 228, a measure that was unanimously approved by the House of Representatives this evening. H. Con Res. 228 recognizes and honors the members of the Armed Forces and civilian employees who served this nation during the Vietnam era, and the families of those individuals who lost their lives, remain unaccounted for, or were injured during the Vietnam war era.
Congressman Kuykendall made the following remarks on the floor of the House during the debate of H. Con Res. 228. "Twenty-five years ago, we ended our involvement in the Vietnam War. And unlike World War II or Korea, our objectives for being in the conflicts in Southeast Asia were not very clear.
Why were we there?
What forces of evil or wrongdoing compelled the potential sacrifice of American lives?
What national security or economic interests of the United States were at stake?
"Our involvement in Vietnam sparked tremendous domestic controversy, largely because we could not answer these questions. Our soldiers came home without fanfare or ticker tape parades, or their hero's welcome we have historically showered on returning veterans.
Our veterans became an easy target for those who questioned our participation in Vietnam; and as a country, we turned our backs on them."
"As a nation, we struggle to find solutions to world issues that do not require military force.
However, when needed, the young men and women of this nation answer our call to service.
We must never again let the popularity of any war effort be the measure of when we honor our veterans' service. I will say that again. We must never again let the popularity of any war effort be the measure of when we honor our veterans' service.
We cannot rewrite our past, but we can correct those mistakes by acknowledging the service of our Vietnam veterans, military and civilian."
Let me quote Dan Mauro, a Vietnam veteran, to reintroduce my colleagues to our Vietnam patriots. In Dan's words, our Vietnam veterans: are men and women. "We are dead or alive, whole or maimed, sane or haunted. We grew from our experiences or we were destroyed by them or we struggle to find some place in between. We lived through hell or we had a pleasant, if scary, adventure.
We were Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Red Cross, and civilians of all sorts. Some of us enlisted to fight for God and Country, and some were drafted. Some were gung-ho, and some went kicking and screaming. Like veterans of all wars, we lived a tad bit, or a great bit, closer to death than most people like to think about.
If Vietnam vets differ from others, perhaps it is primarily in the fact that many of us never saw the enemy or recognized him or her.
We heard gunfire and mortar fire but rarely looked into enemy eyes. Those who did, like folks who encounter close combat anywhere and anytime, are often haunted for life by those eyes, those sounds, those electric fears that ran between ourselves, our enemies, and the likelihood of death for one of us. Or we get hard, calloused, tough. All in a day's work.
We recognized the heroism of those who lost their lives in Vietnam with the creation of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982.
Today, with 2.5 million visitors annually, this memorial is the most visited place in the nation's capitol.
This memorial is a fitting tribute to the men and women who served in Vietnam. The Wall has helped family members and friends say a final farewell. It has helped others come to terms with their Vietnam service.
It has taught a generation about the heroism of those who lost their lives in Vietnam.
"It is time now to embrace the service of all of our Vietnam veterans those who lived, those who died, those still missing, and all of us whose lives were unalterably changed by the experience."
"It is for this reason that House Concurrent Resolution 228 is so important."
"May 7, 2000, marks the 25th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam era.
House Concurrent Resolution 228 marks this historic anniversary by honoring the duty, courage, service, and love of family and country demonstrated by the 2.7 million Americans who served in Vietnam.
Let this resolution also stand as notice to those who serve us now, in places like the Balkans, Korea, and the Persian Gulf, and for the next generations of patriots: America will stand by you and will praise your service, bravery, and commitment.
"I am proud to have served my country in Vietnam and am honored to be recognized as a veteran of that war.
Today, I am deeply privileged to salute all who served, lost their lives, were injured or are still missing in Southeast Asia by supporting this resolution.
I thank my colleague, the gentleman from California, for his service in Vietnam and his efforts to acknowledge the contributions of Vietnam veterans and their families.
I urge my colleagues in Congress and people across the nation to recognize the contributions of these heroes."
Congressman Kuykendall is a veteran of the Vietnam War. Commissioned as a Marine Corps Second Lieutenant in 1968, he served two tours of duty in Vietnam, participating in the effort to stop the North Vietnamese Easter Offensive in 1972. He rose to the rank of Captain and retired in 1973 after a permanent shoulder injury. Congressman Kuykendall represents California's 36th congressional district in the South Bay area of Los Angeles County. The district stretches from San Pedro in the south to Venice Beach in the north and includes Los Angeles International Airport, a portion of the Port of Los Angeles, and Catalina Island.

Many thanks to REGINA TALLEY
( Vietnam Wall Volunteer, and sister of Floyd Talley below. )
Also thank you to RUTH LUKKAR.

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Copyright © 1999 - 2001 Julia Girard - All Rights Reserved.
Created: January 10, 1999 Last update: January 20, 2001
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