‘It brought back memories’: Vietnam Veterans Reunion starts up at the National Infantry Museum
COLUMBUS, Ga. (WRBL) — The Vietnam Veterans Reunion began Thursday morning at the National Infantry Museum.
Every two years, the 47th Infantry Regiment hosts their Vietnam Veterans Reunion in Columbus due to the number of military personnel who have served at the Fort Moore post.
Veterans arrived at the Dignity Memorial Vietnam Wall Thursday morning and were welcomed by soldiers dressed in the uniforms worn during the Vietnam War. Veterans thanked soldiers for their service and also shared their wisdom.
The reunion consisted of a reef laying ceremony to honor the soldiers who have passed since their last reunion. After each name, a golden bell was rung.
WRBL spoke to a veteran who was emotional during the ceremony for the fallen soldiers.
“The first name was my wife, and there was three other names in there that I served with, and I didn’t know that they were sick, but now I do. And I know they passed.”
Richard Martin, 47th Infantry Regiment Vietnam War Veteran
Harris Pruitt, another Vietnam Veteran who attended the reunion, spoke to WRBL about his feelings toward the ceremony.
“Any time the taps are played at any ceremony, that brings back memories. 50 some years ago, when we would come out of the field and go back to base camp,” said Pruitt. “They would have the fallen brothers boots and rifle in the ground, sometimes ten times 30, and the taps would play. And that brings back that memory every time. And it’s part of the honor of being with our brothers on this wall.”
Afterwards, the veterans were invited to tour the National Infantry Museum. Veteran Michael Gray spoke to WRBL about his memories of the war after going through the Vietnam War Exhibit.
Gray says, “Yes. It brought back memories – darkness unknown, which beyond your close eyesight, you know, five to 10 meters. You rarely, you rarely saw the enemy until you were being shot at by them.”
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