The last few years of my mother’s life were spent in a nursing home. Although her body had failed her, her mind was as sharp as ever. Over the years, she had appointed herself a one-person watchdog committee for the proper treatment of herself and the other people who lived in the nursing home along with her. On one occasion, when she and the administration could not resolve a difference of opinion Pam and I were called to meet with my mom, the administrator and the social worker. After mom had told her side of the story, the social worker proceeded to tell the nursing homes side of the events. After three times of calling my mother the resident I exploded and very forcefully explained to him, that my mother had a name-she wasn’t the resident but rather Louise or Mrs. Morris. Regretfully we are living in a society that has disassociated-labeled-tagged and become impersonal.

My twelve-year old son came home from school last fall and started asking me questions about Viet Nam. After answering his questions, I asked to see his textbook. Of the three hundred and something pages in the book only two and a half pages were devoted to Nam . Regretfully  our historians have found it easier to forget about Our War than to teach the lessons we should have learned from so many years of hell and destroyed lives.

Quoting from the 1 May 2000 US News and World report-“ many of the lessons of Viet Nam have been lost, forgotten, or cast aside, deemed inconvenient or irrelevant. The war has virtually vanished from the cultural memory.”

At a high school football game last fall, as is the custom everywhere, the National Anthem was played before the game. I usually stand with my eyes focused on the flag as it is being raised. But for some reason I looked around this time and was astonished at what I saw. Teenager’s talking-running around-not removing their caps-  basically ignoring the significance of the moment-someone has forgotten to teach our youth the importance of Old Glory and what it stands for. When I get to the point of not having chill bumps and a tingle run up my spine when I hear Old Glory, I hope someone closes the casket in my face.

In Washington DC there is a long black wall. Many of us visited it together several years ago. Most of you, like me, had tears in your eyes as the memories came flooding back. Millions visit the wall each year. But other than those of us who were in Nam and family members of those listed on the wall, they pass by and never realize the impact of those names.  What if name 2000 had become a world leader who could have helped bring peace to the world, to keep our children and grandchildren from fighting in another Viet Nam, or become a doctor who could have saved millions of lives? They never realize the heartache of a mother and father whose child was lost-brother or sister who never would see their loved one alive again. The wife who never was, the children who never were-the grandchildren who never would crawl up on his knee and say paw paw I love you. But like almost everything else in life today, it’s easier not to get personally involved, to not feel the pain, the fear of combat,  and realize  the future that never was.

Almost weekly you can find a news report of someone burning the American flag. Not only in foreign countries but here at home also. But let a national crisis arrive or a major disaster happen and the United States and more often than not, the US military is the first to be called to the rescue. We are despised and hated until we are needed.

Just a few weeks ago in our local newspaper and then picked up by the local radio talk shows, it was reported that buglers were no longer guaranteed for military funerals because of monetary restraints.

One lady called in and said it would be crazy to station a bugler in each state to cover such events. The report said that a CD or tape of taps would be provided for funerals. We can fight and die for our country but they can’t seem to find the money for a bugler to play for our funerals. Our sacrifices are no longer recognized or appreciated.

We are living in a time where everyone wants to disassociate-wants to label and tag-wants to depersonalize-take the easy way out-wants to forget where we went and what we fought for-and in most cases despises us and could care less for the sacrifices we made.

Now I’ve said all of that to say this. No one else is going to remember Our War and our parts in that war and especially those who gave their lives fighting for our country. So that only leaves us to keep the memories alive. To that end, I contacted Joe and Tex several months ago and suggested that each reunion we recognize someone who gave all he had to give-his life. I’m asking Joe to appoint a committee to take nominations for the Alpha Avengers Some Gave All award for future reunions. Tonight, I am here to present our 1^st award.

We are going to recognize a man who grew up in southern California. As a child he played army whenever he could and dreamed one day of being a real soldier. One day after reaching legal age, while his mother was out of town, he slipped away and joined the army. He ended up in third platoon A 2/501^st. As an E5, he served as a squad leader but he went beyond what is expected of squad leaders. As all of you know, it didn’t take long for us to find out whom we could depend on when it counted most. The man we are honoring tonight is one of those individuals.  Our honoree volunteered for point man, arguably the most dangerous job in NAM. He said it was the only placed he felt comfortable. For that he was awarded the Permanent Point Man Award. Among other awards, he received 2 Bronze Stars with V Device for Valor, Combat Infantryman’s Badge, 2 Air Medals, one for 25 combat assaults and one for going into a hot landing zone, Viet Nam Service and Campaign Ribbons and the Purple Heart. On February 20th, 1970 Victor Zaragoza gave his life for his country and for that we honor him tonight. Vic’s sister had planned on being with us tonight but couldn’t make it at the last minute. So I will accept it for her and make sure she receives the plaque.

Gentlemen, if you will, I’m going to ask you to do something most of us haven’t done in a long  time, please stand and salute  Vic Zaragoza and the 58000 plus who were killed in OUR WAR.

-- Bob Morris