Vietnam War veterans speak at Texas Panhandle War Memorial ceremony

On March 29, 1973, the last soldiers from the United States left Vietnam. Pink Floyd’s album, “Dark Side of the Moon,” was released that year, Roe vs Wade was decided by the U.S. Supreme Court and the first of a series of recessions, which would continue over the next decade, occurred along with the first oil crisis.

Around 2.7 million American service members fought in the Vietnam War and 3.4 million served in Southeast Asia. The U.S. lost 58,000 service members in the unpopular war where 153,303 were wounded. The war divided the country in ways it had not been over any war since the Civil War. Even though soldiers were not to blame, they were often scorned and treated poorly after returning to the states from the war.

Instead of being welcomed with parades and treated like heroes, they suffered the defeat of returning to a country they no longer knew. Many who served in Vietnam came home with both physical and unseen injuries suffered by our Vietnam veterans that went undiagnosed and weren’t understood by our medical community or citizenry as they currently are.

There were 150 Panhandle service members who lost their lives in the war. Of those who lived, many still suffer from exposure to Agent Orange and battle trauma. After all they suffered, many struggled to find jobs and ended up homeless or with no services offered to help them. A large number of them became addicted to drugs and alcohol, and sadly, many died of suicide.

Related: Vietnam Memorial Wall replica exhibit goes on display in Amarillo

But finally, as the scars began to heal, veterans of the war that couldn’t be won became recognized, and finally in 2012, President Barrack Obama made a proclamation calling on Americans to observe March 29 as a day to commemorate Vietnam veterans after 50 years. Later in 2017, President Donald Trump officially recognized it as National Vietnam Veterans Day.

Around 50 local veterans and survivors of Vietnam and other wars gathered Friday, March 29 on the anniversary at the Texas Panhandle War Memorial in Amarillo to honor those veterans who never came home and to celebrate those who are still living. It was also Good Friday, and the opening prayer reflected that hope.

One of the oldest veterans to attend was Dan McKinney, a veteran of World War II and the Korean War. He also was a Prisoner of War (POW) in Korea at a time when they didn’t follow rules of the Geneva Convention.

Major General Bob Dempsey was present at the Amarillo event with his wife. Dempsey flew 201 missions and his plane was hit four times, but he survived. He said the soldiers did the best they could do without the right leadership. He said it was hard to fight the corruption to the forces after Vietnam and that things became too casual.

A couple who met in Vietnam when they were both in the service, Nancy and Rhea Rakes, were there at the war memorial to commemorate the event. Nancy was in the last class for the famous Women’s Army Corps (WACS) and proudly wore her WAC shirt. She said that she served four years and ran the mess hall and did other chores to help the soldiers on the front lines. She met Rhea while on duty, and they were eventually married. Rhea went on to serve 11 years, but Nancy was assigned to Germany and couldn’t take her child who was mentally challenged to Germany.

The couple have been married 46 years and raised children who were respectful to the country, she said.

Several Gold Star family members were there at the Amarillo event to honor their family members lost to the Vietnam War, as well as other wars fought by the U.S. troops.

Amarilloan Ron Clark was one of the veterans who was honored for his service as a “dust pilot,” who would fly into fog or difficult conditions to save the troops. Clark said they never lost any soldier in a helicopter but later in the hospital.

The story of Father Vincent R. Capodanno was told by Mendell Schelin, Vietnam Veteran and Board member of TPWMC.

Lt. Capadonno left the safety of the company command post to run through an open area raked with fire, directly to the 2nd Platoon of M Company, whom he served. Running through the firing of automatic weapons, mortar fire along with small arms, he ran about the battlefield administering last rites to the dying, along with medical care to the wounded.

Even though suffering painful wounds to his arms and legs and a portion of his right hand, Capadonno refused medical aid. When he encountered a wounded corpsman in direct line of fire from an enemy machine gunner 15 yards away, he rushed in and was struck down by a burst of machine-gun fire. He gave his life in the cause of freedom, and his memory is being honored by being placed in the first step of becoming a Saint by being considered as a Servant of God.

The informal ceremony at the war memorial recognized veterans of World War II, the Koren War, the Persian Gulf War and the War of Terror as well as the Vietnam War. Veterans were able to speak about their service and be acknowledged by the peers. After the ceremony, a reception was held with appetizers and water, and the group enjoyed the facilities of the Texas Panhandle War Memorial displays.

This article originally appeared on Amarillo Globe-News: Memories of 'Nam: Veterans of the Vietnam War speak at ceremony