Some Gave All

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

Eagle Diary: During this period, the Drive On 2nd Bn. (Ambl.), 501st Inf. operating in two locations approximately 10 and 17 miles southwest of Hue, was busy destroying the enemy and his cache. The action began with the 3rd Plat, Co. C, 2/501st, uncovering a buried cache of RPG rounds and boosters and tunnel digging equipment north of FB Bastogne. The next morning, the 3rd Plat. of Co. B discovered a large bunker south of FB Veghel. An investigation revealed six 82mm mortar rounds with one box of fuses, one 60mm mortar round and six antitank mines. The biggest fight came the next day south of FB Veghel. The 3rd Plat. of Co. B came under attack from an unknown size enemy force. An attempt by the 3rd Plat. of Co. A to air assault and reinforce the element was aborted due to heavy fire from enemy gunners around the LZ. Co. A moved by land toward the "Bravos" while artillery, ARA and tactical air strikes were employed. As the elements attempted to link up, both units received mortar and small arms fire. The Screaming Eagles returned organic weapons fire and again artillery was employed. The 4th Plat. of Co. B then came under attack...At noon the next day during a CA, Co. A, 2/501st, received 12.7mm machinegun and small arms fire from the area surrounding the LZ. The “Attack" troopers returned organic weapons fire and ARA was employed. - Screaming Eagle, April 1971


SSG John Wentworth was a competent soldier who had the ability to work with and motivate the guys in his command. After serving a very long period in the field in operations off Firebases Brick, Tomahawk and Bastogne, he had well-earned a supply position in the rear in support of troops in the field. However, after a large number became casualties in the ambush off of Firebase Veghel, John, on his own initiative, voluntarily returned to the field. He was killed in the firefight mentioned at the end of the above article. In a war, in which we were never sure who we were really fighting it for, we fought for each other. SSG John Wentworth not only fought for us, he "gave all" for us. - Ray Houghton At our 2004 Reunion, family members, including John's brother and sister, were present to receive the Some Gave All Award.

The 2010 recipient of the Some Gave All" award was Pete Winter. His son Paul accepted the award in his honor. Bob (Rock) Saal submitted Pete's name.

The small table set for one is reserved to honor our fallen comrades in arms. This symbolizes that they are with us, here in spirit. We should never forget the brave men and women who answered our nation's call [to serve] and served the cause of freedom in a special way. We are ever mindful that the sweetness of enduring peace has always been tainted by the bitterness of personal sacrifice. We are compelled to never forget that while we enjoy our daily pleasures, there are others who have endured the agonies of pain, deprivation and death.

Following is the meaning of the items on this special table:

The table is round - to show our everlasting concern for our fallen comrades.
The single red rose, displayed in a vase, reminds us of the life of each of our fallen comrades, and the loved ones and friends of these comrades who keep the faith.
A slice of lemon on the bread plate is to remind us of the bitter fate of those who will never return.
A pinch of salt symbolizes the tears endured by the families of those who have sacrificed all.
The glass is inverted, they cannot toast with us at this time.
The chair is empty because they are no longer with us.

Let us remember - and never forget their sacrifice. May they and their families ever be watched over and protected."