PHIL GOWER, editor
Near the former DMZ and the Rockpile
Vietnam War veterans from the 3rd Marine Division last month toured portions of Vietnam including the locations of their former wartime outposts on the DMZ. The Rockpile behind them is a rock outcropping near the former DMZ of South Vietnam and an important operations post and fire base from 1966-68. Next to it are Razor Back and Mudder’s Ridge. From left, are Ken Burkitt of Mt. Carmel, Don Baumgarner, Bill Evins (tour guide and U.S. veteran living in Vietnam), Bill Taylor II and Roger Bacon.
Ken Burkitt is a retired Mt. Carmel police chief and served 29 years as a police officer with the MCPD, but he also served as a U.S. Marine, including two combat tours during the Vietnam War.
He exemplifies the motto: Semper Fidelis, Always Faithful. Old Glory flies above the U.S. Marine flag on the flag pole in front the Burkitt’s Mt. Carmel home.
Burkitt attends the 3rd Marine Division Reunion and stays in touch with other Vietnam veterans. He served 12 months from 1967-68 and then a 13-month tour in 1970-71.
Shrapnel concluded his first tour in the 12th month, and earned his third Purple Heart for wounds sustained in action.
At the 3rd Marine reunions, some of the veterans in recent years have decided to revisit Vietnam and find what one former U.S. Marine Bill Ervin has found in a different way, a peaceful and changed nation. Burkitt said Bill and his wife Ahn live in Da Nang and often guide tours for returning veterans.
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