National Vietnam War Museum Memorial Day Service

On May 27, 2012
The National Vietnam War Museum in Orlando Florida had their annual Memorial Day Service.
Major Amy Rittenbusch came to cut the ribbon of the plane she flew.

The following was an email report Harry Scholer sent out about the day.

Folks, Yesterday I attended the Vietnam and all Veterans Memorial Day service at the Bunker and it was truly memorable.

A thirty year marine colonel with 50 plus air combat missions, a thirty two year old army lieutenant who holds a purple heat and a bronze star, and congresswoman Sandy Adams, a true conservative and veterans supporter were on the dais.. Each spoke briefly and from the heart about the true meaning of Memorial Day. The VFW band played patriotic music, the 5 joint services color guards presented colors and the names of the fallen Vietnam veterans from Orange County were read out loud as young marines placed wreaths at the wall. A soaking rain did not stop the attendees from paying their respects.

One of those present stood out to me. He was an old man wearing old clothes and his face and arms were scarred from cancer removal with a laser. He had tobacco juice staining the corner of his mouth and a baseball cap that said "Veteran of three Wars, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Maybe if you saw him on a bus you would turn away. I shook his hand and said something like what a career, his response was " I guess I was a slow learner." As we talked he told he retired from the Marine Corps as a Master Sergeant. As a teenager he was at Bougainville and Okinawa, a twenty something at the Frozen Chosin and in his words an old man in Vietnam (he had retired in 1964 and was called back to active duty in '68. It was there that he and other troops were sprayed with agent orange.) From his perspective Vietnam was the worst if he had to pick one, not like the other two were a cakewalk.

Most of us revere veterans from all wars but it is rare to meet one who served in three. He said he was driving by and saw all the cars so he decided to stop in. I'm happy that he did. Please remember all who served this day and everyday.
R/Harry