Photo by Angela Napili
MONDAY, MAY 31, 2021
Photo by Harrison Jones
WELCOME ELCOME LETTER ETTER
Dear Friends: Let me be the first to welcome you to our ceremony today and welcome you back to The Wall! We are so pleased to be able to host an in-person ceremony for Memorial Day 2021. The annual Memorial Day Observance at The Wall, hosted jointly by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) and the National Park Service, is a special opportunity to pay tribute to America’s service members who have made the ultimate sacrifice. Each year, we work with the Department of Defense to make updates to the Memorial. In 2020, we added three names and just this month, we added two more. Today — we’ll officially welcome them home by reading their names at The Wall for the first time. We’ll also welcome home five service members on The Wall who were repatriated in 2019 and 2020. Five more families that have some sense of closure after decades of waiting. There are still more than 1,500 families of service members on The Wall who continue to wait. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial began with a promise to never forget the names of the service members who sacrificed all in Vietnam and to honor all those who served in the Vietnam War. Our continuing mission is to honor and remember the names, faces and stories of the Americans whose lives were cut short because of the Vietnam War. We continue to educate all that visit and help them better understand the profound impact that all wars have on their friends and family members, their hometowns and the nation. This site is the place our country has set aside to honor and remember our Vietnam veterans. Thank you for joining us here today, for your service and sacrifice, and for your continued support as we carry on the legacies of those inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and all those who served in the Vietnam War. Sincerely,
Jim Knotts President and CEO Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
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NNUALMM EMORIALDD BSERVANCEAA THEWW ALL AA NNUAL EMORIAL AYAYOO BSERVANCE T TTHE ALL
Monday, May 31, 28, 2021 2018 — 1:00 p.m. Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Constitution Gardens, Washington, DC PRELUDE MUSIC OPENING REMARKS / MASTER OF CEREMONIES OPENING REMARKS INVOCATION INVOCATION PRESENTATION OF COLORS MASTER OF CEREMONIES
Rockie JimLynne Knotts President/CEO, VVMF Jim Knotts President/CEO, VVMF Rabbi Arnold Resnicoff His Excellency, Bishop Michael F. Burbidge Joint Armed Services Color Guard Bishop of the Diocese of Arlington, Va. Military District of Washington Gorham L. Black, III, COL (Ret.) U.S. Army
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE PRESENTATION OF COLORS
John Rowan Joint Armed Forces Color Guard National President, Vietnam Veterans Military District of Washington of America (VVA)
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE NATIONAL ANTHEM
Robert Doubek Vietnam Veteran and former Executive Director of VVMF
RETIRING OF THE COLORS NATIONAL ANTHEM WELCOME RETIRING OF THE COLORS WELCOME
Rockie Lynne Jeff Reinbold Superintendent, National Mall and Memorial Patricia Trap Parks
Acting Superintendent VIETNAM WOMEN’S MEMORIAL National Nancy Wilson Mall and Memorial Parks Vietnam Veteran, U.S. Navy Nurse Corps VIETNAM WOMEN’S MEMORIAL Karen Kaye King-Johnson KEYNOTE REMARKS KEYNOTE REMARKS
Karl Marlantes Hal Kushner, M.D., COL (Ret.) U.S. Army Author and Vietnam War Veteran
WREATH LAYING WREATH LAYING
Organization Representatives Organization Representatives
AMAZING GRACE AMAZING GRACE
Chris Jackson Chris Jackson Bagpiper Bagpiper
TAPS TAPS
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KARL MARLANTES, AUTHOR AND VIETNAM WAR VETERAN
Karl Marlantes is the bestselling author of Matterhorn, What It Is Like to Go to War, and Deep River. Marlantes graduated from Yale University and was a Rhodes Scholar at Oxford University. He left after one semester at Oxford to join active duty in the U.S. Marine Corps as an infantry officer. Marlantes served during the Vietnam War with 1st Battalion, 4th Marines from October 1968 to October 1969, and was awarded the Navy Cross for action in Vietnam in which he led an assault on a hilltop bunker complex. He also served as an aerial observer while in Vietnam. Marlantes was also awarded a Bronze Star, two Navy Commendation Medals for valor, two Purple Hearts, and 10 Air Medals.
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NANCY GEORGE WILSON, LT, U.S. NURSE CORPS Nancy was a LT in the U.S. Navy Nurse Corps from 1964-1969. She joined the Navy because she wanted to support her country by supporting the military who were being drafted and facing dire circumstances. Nancy served stateside at Great Lakes Naval Hospital and Corpus Christi Naval Hospital. From February 1968 to February 1969, she served on the USS REPOSE (AH-16) which was assigned to the I Corps area. That twelve-month period had the heaviest casualties of the war. There were periods when the fighting was more intense that there were as many as 1,000 patients on board. The 29 nurses were grateful that they had corpsmen to work with them. Nancy’s primary area was orthopedics, but she also covered the two wards for women and children, the burn ward and ENT. One way to feel a break from the stress of war was to play with these children. We all shared the need for a laugh. Nancy realized that she sometimes did not meet military decorum, which gave the crew a laugh. More than once she responded to salutes with her usual “Howdy ya’ll.” That was not intentional. That was Texas. Following active duty, Nancy earned a Master’s degree in Nursing and Family Nurse Practitioner certification. The experience she had — especially on the REPOSE — provided her with the experience and motivation to continue her nursing career. As the world changed after the fall of Saigon, Nancy’s family sponsored two Vietnamese sisters who had managed to escape. They remain a vital part of her family. Retirement was finally accomplished after a 54-year nursing career — but she will never quit nursing. She is most proud of her five children and ten grandchildren. They make her life worthwhile.
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WELCOME HOME Each spring, VVMF works with the Department of Defense to make updates to The Wall. If the Department of Defense determines that a service member has met the criteria for addition to The Wall, their name is added.
The Department of Defense sets the criteria for, and makes decisions about, whose names are eligible for inscription on The Wall. VVMF pays for the name additions and status changes and partners with the National Park Service to ensure the long-term care and preservation of The Wall. Inscriptions and status changes have been made by Engrave Wright from Denver, Colo., since 1986. There were three additions to The Wall in 2020 and two additions in 2021, bringing the total number of names on The Wall to 58,281. Today — we officially welcome home these five service members.
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WELCOME HOME WELCOME LETTER
LAWRENCE R OLIVEIRA CPT, U.S. Army Hana, Hawaii Panel W24, Line 108
MICHAEL C QUIRE PFC, U.S. Army Dayton, Ohio Panel 18E, Line 66
ANDREW J SMITH PFC, U.S. Army Grabill, Indiana Panel 36E, Line 86
LARRY R TENDA PFC, U.S. Marine Corps Clarksburg, West Virginia Panel W30, Line 70
FREDERICK M ZIOMEK LCPL, U.S. Marine Corps Buffalo, New York Panel W11, Line 69
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WELCOME HOME
Beside each name on The Wall is a symbol designating status. The diamond symbol denotes that the service member is known dead or presumed dead. The cross symbol denotes that the service member was missing or prisoner status when The Wall was built in 1982 and remains unaccounted for today. When a service member is repatriated, the diamond is superimposed over the cross.
Jim Lee of Engrave Write of Denver, CO changes a status symbol on The Wall. Three service members were repatriated in 2019 and two service members were repatriated in 2020. Their symbols on The Wall have been updated to reflect their status. Today — we officially welcome them home. The number of Americans still listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War stands at 1,584.
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WELCOME HOMELETTER WELCOME
PAUL A AVOLESE MAJ, U.S. Air Force East Meadow, N.Y. Panel 23E, Line 25
RAUL A GUERRA SN, U.S. Navy Los Angeles, Calif. Panel 27E, Line 71
ROY A KNIGHT JR COL, U.S. Air Force Millsap, Texas Panel 20E, Line 45
ALVA R KROGMAN 1LT, U.S. Air Force Worland, Wyoming Panel 14E, Line 45
NEAL C WARD MAJ, U.S. Air Force College Station, Texas Panel W22, Line 39
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FATHER’S DAY
JOIN US ON FATHER’S DAY Sunday, June 20, 2021 at 10:00 a.m. Every Father’s Day, VVMF lays thousands of roses at the Memorial site. Each rose holds a personal message in honor of the fathers on The Wall, those who never had a chance to come home and start a family, and those who later died as a result of their service in Vietnam. Red roses symbolize those killed in action. Yellow roses symbolize those missing in action. White roses with red tips symbolize those who died after the war ended. Family, friends and visitors are invited to take part in laying roses. It is a breathtaking site that demonstrates both the gratitude and the sacrifices of families impacted by war. Even if you can’t be with us, you can still sponsor a rose and attach a personal message. A volunteer will lay the rose for you. Please visit: www.vvmf.org/fathers-day
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AGENT ORANGE AWARENESS DAY WELCOME LETTER
JOIN US ON AGENT ORANGE AWARENESS DAY Tuesday, August 10, 2021 at 7:00 p.m. The Vietnam War may be over, but the battle continues for many Vietnam veterans. Nearly three million service members served in Vietnam and most returned home. But since then, thousands of Vietnam veterans have fought illnesses related to Agent Orange exposure. This deadly toxin has impacted the lives of thousands of veterans and their families but is largely unknown to most Americans. August 10th is the anniversary of the first day that Agent Orange was sprayed in Vietnam in 1961 and the date we commemorate Agent Orange Awareness Day. Join us on August 10th to bring light to the continuing toll of the use of Agent Orange during the Vietnam War. For more information, go to: www.vvmf.org/Agent-Orange-Awareness.
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REGISTRY
VIETNAM ERA REGISTRY FOR VETERANS VVMF recently launched the Vietnam Era Registry where the legacy of service of living Vietnam and all Vietnam War Era veterans can be recognized and celebrated. The Registry allows living Vietnam veterans to preserve their legacy of service and connect with others who served during the Vietnam Era. Online profile pages recognize their service and allow for veterans to connect with others who served at the same time or within the same units. Veterans can upload and share images from their service era or since Vietnam and tell their story for future generations. It’s easy to get started. If you or a family member served in the military during the Vietnam Era — defined as November 1, 1955 – May 15, 1975 — you can create a profile today at: https://registry.vvmf.org.
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PW ODCAST ELCOME LETTER
ECHOES OF THE VIETNAM WAR Earlier this year, VVMF launched a new podcast — Echoes of the Vietnam War. Even after 50 years, the impact of the Vietnam War echoes across generations. Hear stories of service and sacrifice from people who were impacted by the Vietnam War — veterans, their families, and others who add perspective to those experiences. A new episode is launched every other Monday. We’ve explored topics from the Draft to the use of helicopters to the experiences of one POW but there are many more stories to tell — and preserve for future generations. To listen or learn more about it — please visit: www.vvmf.org/echoes.
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With Special Gratitude A special thank you to this year’s Memorial Day supporters, whose contributions in memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country, make this ceremony possible.
In Memory of Lt. Noel Austin Harris, Jr. (Panel W12, Line33), Darkhorse 34, C. Troop (AIR) 16th. Cav. We remember your ultimate sacrifice to keep our country free and safe. You are gone but not forgotten and your memory lives continually in our hearts. Your wife, Donna; Daughter, Lisa; and Grandsons, Austin and Peyton
In Memory of my Vietnam Brothers Never Forgotten: Michael Gala 1/5/69, John Ward 10/6/69, John Gutekunst 3/21/70, Steven Golsh 3/21/70, Luis Barbaria 3/21/70, Roy Richardson 5/8/70, Newton Clement 6/23/70. Patriots all! Respectfully, Bill Nelson
In Memory of my friends and classmates from Turner High School, in Carrollton, Texas who were KIA in Vietnam: Michael Angerstein (28E/Line 78), Tommy Dotson (W7/Line 76), Jerry Fraze (44E/Line 26), Dixon Hunt (18E/Line 60), Dusty Meeks (W28/Line 71), Larry Kirkland (W10/Line 76), John Roberts (28E/Line 86) Michael Johnson
I have to lift up my heart of gratitude on this Memorial Day! Our family participated in a candlelight vigil to welcome The Wall That Heals to Veterans Memorial Park in Ocean Pines, MD on April 22-25, 2021. Light raindrops gently filled the sky. They felt like peace was poured out by Grace on the hearts in attendance. More than 58,000 courageous hearts sacrificed for the goal of protecting the truth and life for humanity. Huong Le
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With Special Gratitude WELCOME LETTER A special thank you to this year’s Memorial Day supporters, whose contributions in memory of those who gave their lives in service to our country, make this ceremony possible. In Memory of Richard Donlan Jay Donlan In Memory of my childhood friend, Capt. David B. Rodman Fred L. Masenheimer In Memory of James Harris Don Harris In Memory of Albert Graf W18/Line 6 and William Ryan W25/Line 52 Bill McKelvey In Memory of Ray Frank Long Leo W. Pierce Jr. In Memory of SFC James Leo Waner, USA Captain Ralph W. Sevelius, USA, Vietnam ‘68 Ellsworth C. Alvord III Wayne Bowers Barry W. Clark Curtis W. Clarkson David Eggert Leroy Elfmann Arthur E. Geuss William P. Kupper, Jr. Jerome M. Kruszka Phillip Lewis Paley William Prout Donald Wetmore Dr. Robert Wintermyer Jacqueline Zwirner
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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service wish to thank: Paul Masi and the Veterans Advisory Board for the Verizon Corporation for providing the American and POW/MIA flags, and for its support; and bagpiper Christopher Jackson.
A special thank you from VVMF to our events team at Something Fabulous.
Visit the VVMF online store at www.vvmf.org/store to see how you can show your support for VVMF and its programs.
Photos from this event will be available on our website: www.vvmf.org/event-photos
To learn more about the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and its programs: www.vvmf.org
Stay connected with VVMF on: Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund www.twitter.com/VVMF VNVeteransMemorial
F O U N D E R S O F T H E WA L L