“Where have all the soldiers gone? Gone to graveyards everyone ...” — from “Where Have All The Flowers Gone?” (sung by The Kingston Trio)
Memorial Day is a special day for many Americans who have worn a uniform in our Armed Forces. Some of us who are members of veterans organizations, like the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars), decorate military graves with American flags. We also attend ceremonies like those held at Fort Douglas and the state Capitol.
Some veterans get together, and hoist a beverage in remembrance of those they have known who have passed before them. This year, I will especially remember two friends whom I knew at East High School in Salt Lake City. Wayne Feinauer, Nick Miller, and I graduated 60 years ago in 1964. Four years later we were all serving in Vietnam.
Wayne served as an MP (military police), and died in-country escorting a convoy. Nick was a combat medic with the 101st Airborne. He came home with ailments acquired from exposure to Agent Orange, and died a little over a year ago. Another casualty of the Vietnam War where, “All gave some, and some gave all.”
Also this year, I will travel to Gatlinburg, Tennessee, to meet with some of my Vietnam buddies. We get together every now and then for Memorial Day. A few years ago we met in Washington, D.C., where we saw President Barack Obama place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It was quite memorable.
We Vietnam vets are fewer in number every year, and know that it may not be long before we are all but a name on a grave stone. Until that time we will recall how young we were so long ago, and cherish the memories of our friendships. We ask all Americans to join us in remembrance of those who served.
Luciano S. Martinez, Murray