FELLOW VIETNAM VETERANS, VETERANS,

LADIES and GENTLEMEN

Today marks 30 years since I spent my first day in Vietnam. I was there only hours when I was on my first of eight major operations it was called Starlite or The battle of Chu Lai. I was a radio operator on a forward observation team for the artillery. Death was all around me as I came to the reality that I could get KILLED here! I know that may sound crazy, because as a MARINE that was what all my training was for. Well guess what? I found out real fast that all the training in the world is like the real thing! I was just 18 years young then. Eleven months later I left Vietnam feeling like I was 49 years old in my mind. You see in Vietnam you did not know who the enemy was. Once we had to kill the man who cut our hair by day and attacked us as a viet cong by night. That's what the Vietnam War was like! You aged real fast there!

So today I get to do what I've always wanted to do. That is to thank my fellow Vietnam War Veterans as they should have been thanked long before. Today it seems that everyone has to rush around and never have time for anything or

anybody. Veterans are remembered two times a year, on Veterans Day or Memorial Day, but now we have made those days just another reason for a three day weekend or just another big sales day!!

I would like to think that our sacrifices ment more than that! So in my small way today I'm letting them know that I did not forget those who paid the full price in Vietnam and those who are still paying that price. I hope I have gotten you to remember any Veteran from any War more that just two times a year!

I guess recent negative events about Vietnam have made me want to show a Vietnam Combat Veterans answer to the following events:

First: The opening of trade just to make a buck for big companies!

Second: The opening of diplomatic relations so we can send them aid!

Third: Mr. Mc Namaras book about how wrong the War was Fourth: The person holding the office of president saying that that book

ment he was right to protest against his country and the War in another country!

Fifth: Last, but not least. A member of his cabinet stating that "We did not send the BEST or BRIGHTEST to Vietnam!!

No we sent persons like myself from little towns like East Killingly there. Well nobody had to send me, I joined the Marines. I went freely for my country because, back then it was part of the price you paid to live in a free county! As to whether the Vietnam War was a mistake does not matter to those who died in Vietnam. Who it does matter to are those who still hold the horrors of that War unwilling close.

This Flagstaff and Bronze Plaque are my answer to all those recent events that only hurt Vietnam Veterans more that most already do! As a Disabled Vietnam Combat Veteran I wanted to let other Vietnam Veterans know that we did matter and we did the right thing! I have done this on my own. I will fly this Flag at half staff for any Vietnam Combat Veteran who passes away for one day when I am informed by their families. I will also send them a Certificate stating that this was done to honor them. This is just my small way of thanking them for serving with me May GOD bless them all, both the living and those who have gone before. Thank you! for coming and taking the time to share this with me!         August 16, 1995