Olney celebrating Vietnam vets
President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, designating March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Although this day is not an official holiday in the U.S., some of the citizens in Olney decided to host a commemorative ceremony to honor our local Vietnam veterans and their families. Please RSVP to join the celebration at the Olney Senior Cub Center Tuesday, March 29, at 11:30 a.m.
As the wife of a Vietnam veteran, Phyllis Whitsitt is leading Olney’s celebratory effort in partnership with the U.S. Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program. Whitsitt stated in an article published in Olney Enterprise, Feb. 24, the planning committee will present certificates of honor and a lapel pin to “every living veteran who served at any time on active duty in the U.S. Armed forces regardless of location between Nov. 1, 1955, through May 15, 1975.”
Local Vietnam War veterans Robert Dilmore (U.S. Air Force) and Walter Spears (U.S. Army) encourage other Vietnam War Veterans and their families to attend the luncheon.
Dilmore, who fought in the war in 1968- 69, said it is painful to talk about soldiers’ experiences, such as when he woke up to an explosion while serving in his twenties.
“I was laying in an 8-man tent, and suddenly destruction came with an explosion approximately 7500 yards away. I’ve experienced rockets hitting with 75 yards,” Dilmore said. “Remembering is hard, but I hope all Vietnam veterans in Olney will come out to be honored. Nobody will force you to talk about what you went through. Just come out and enjoy a free lunch.”
Also supporting the celebration of Vietnam veterans is 30-year Olney resident Walter Spears. It may be hard for anyone to imagine deplaning in an unknown country and being greeted by the smell of feces and burning flesh, which is how Spears remembered his first experience in Vietnam when he was 18 years old.
“Initially, I was assigned to dispose of the feces and waste materials generated by those killed, and I can still remember the overwhelming smell that ensued from the moment I stepped out of the air-conditioned plane to the hot Vietnam air rushing over my face. It took approximately six or seven months to acclimate to that horrible smell that never went away,” Spears said regarding his two-year deployment.
While it may be hard to recall those painful experiences tied to Vietnam, the celebration is an opportunity to connect with others who have firsthand knowledge of life during the Vietnam War. All Vietnam veterans or immediate family members such as a parent, sibling, spouse or child of a veteran listed on the Vietnam Vets Memorial in DC are eligible. Dr. Greg Buenger, the Piano Man, will perform during lunch, followed by cake and ice cream. RSVP by calling the Senior Cub Center at 940-564-2782 or Phyllis Whitsitt at 940-564-5703.