As we enter the month of November, the major focal point is Veterans Day and the events all across the state of Minnesota. This is a day that all citizens of our nation should stop and reflect on the sacrifices and contributions our Veterans have made for this great nation.  What makes this year’s Veterans Day event special is that it marks the anniversary of the Vietnam War over 50 years ago.  I’ve been asked to ‘share my story’ of why this day is special, personal, and etched in my mind forever. Here it goes!

As a college student, I was pursuing the American dream of getting a good education, a good job, building a family and having the ‘good life.’  The only question to answer was my status with the draft board.   When I checked, they said that I would be getting my draft notice in either April or May of that year. Needless to say everything that I had planned never came to fruition. I lost the job, the girlfriend, and given a special military occupation “Infantry.”   I went to Infantry Officer Candidate School (OCS), graduated and assigned to the OCS, was sent to Airborne school, then Panama for jungle warfare school, and then off to Vietnam.

My assignment in Vietnam was as a Mobile Advisory Team (MAT) leader.  I was in charge of a five-man team of four senior Non-Commissioned Officers, all infantry qualified, and on their second or third tour.   During the first month they kept a close eye, asked key questions, and made sure I was doing my job as the team leader. Then one day they stopped asking the questions. 

We worked with the Vietnamese Regional Forces who were responsible for securing wide areas within the province, and 23 Vietnamese Popular Force platoons that were responsible for securing key infrastructure in our area of operation. For those familiar with Vietnam, our area of operation was just south of Phu Cat Airbase (II Corp).

The bonds of friendship, respect, insights - not only with my team members - but also the Vietnamese that we were tasked to advise - grew exponentially. I learned a new culture! I learned their family values, and I found that everything I thought I wanted to do in life really wasn’t that important. The values I gained have been instilled in me and have constantly been reinforced with memories of my times in Vietnam.

To all of the Vietnam Veterans, thank you for your service. Each and every one of you have your own story. The welcome home received was less than admirable.  This Veterans Day I ask each and every one of you to honor Veterans of all eras and take an extra moment to find a Vietnam Veteran and say “Thank You for Your Service!”