The bell rang over 100 times, recognizing the men who served from Southeast Missouri.
Solemnly and reverentially their names were announced, the sound of the bell ringing out, one lone, solitary chime for each of the fallen.
Veterans in attendance, along with those who came to pay tribute, mourned these men who served their country in the name of freedom. Men who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. Men struck down in the prime of their lives, now like a fly frozen in amber, forever unchanged in the memories of their loved ones and friends.
Those in attendance may have known these men and had the honor of serving with them in an unpopular war. A war that unlike any other before it, rewarded their service with the pain and derision heaped upon them by many citizens as their own county was divided.
But according to LCDR Larry Kimbrow, USN (Ret.) president of the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1056, his group’s mission is to move forward.
“What we want to do, and we want to move forward,” he said. “We don’t want to hold grudges to the American people, the people that we’re dealing with now are not the ones that shunned us and spit on us and threw rotten eggs and tomatoes.
“They were their parents and grandparents. These young folks are very respectful of us. We go to the high schools. We go to the elementary schools. To them we are war veterans and helped ensure the freedom that they enjoy and that really helps us. I know it does me personally.”
After the Gulf War, the national sentiment seemed to change. It was then that the nation seemed to change its attitude about the Vietnam War era veteran.
The sins of the past were reconciled to some degree.
Kimbrow agrees, saying, “I’m a Desert Storm veteran too. I served in the military for 28 years. I felt that when I came back from Desert Storm, there were parades and some of my friends even served as grand marshalls of some of these parades, but it was hard to imagine that happening when you came back from Vietnam. It wasn’t going to happen.”
For many who served, it’s taken years, decades even, to reconcile their feelings about that turbulent time.
So, the bell rang, and the departed comrades-in-arms were honored. Honored and remembered in the warm embrace of fellowship that only those who have served in the Armed Forces can know.
Monday, March 29, is National Vietnam Veterans Day. This date has been celebrated since 1974 when it was selected by President Richard Nixon. In 2017, President Donald Trump signed it into law as a national holiday.
Local observance by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 1056 was held Friday, on the campus of Three Rivers College in the Robert W. Plaster Free Enterprise Center. A crowd of over 50 people came to honor those who served in the Vietnam War locally with ceremony and song.
Drew Dewitt Director of the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center spoke about how the VA wishes to help those vets who served in Vietnam.
“It was 48 years ago this month when we pulled our last combat troops and combat support units out of Vietnam,” he said, adding, “We’re not your father’s VA. We like to say that in our halls every day is Veteran’s Day and we’re here for you.
“So, we will never forget those that didn’t return, but it’s important for us to remember those that did come home, and their life was changed forever. To those of you that served in Vietnam, a grateful nation respects and honors you. Your efforts have not been forgotten. You made a difference. Thank you for your service and welcome home.”
As is traditional with ceremony such as this, a lone table was set up on the podium. Covered in a bright, white, tablecloth, with a place setting for those who went to war and whose final fate is unknown. The POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony is more than symbolic to these veterans, it is a way to keep the memory of these men and women alive and in everyone’s thoughts.
To those who have served, no veteran should ever be forgotten or left behind. With its yellow ribbon-adorned vase holding a single red rose, its single chair empty, a lone candle, inverted glass, lemon and salt, it sat waiting for a day that as the years go by probably will never come. The day when all who served get to come home.
If you find yourself gazing on a clear night at the magnificent panorama of stars in the sky, your eye might drift to a particular star. This star’s location is in the constellation of Perseus, certainly an appropriate location for the man it’s named after.
Perseus is described as the hero constellation and USAF Major James H. Metz, a hero by any definition, had his name bestowed upon a star located at 21 h 44m 21s D 36’ 45’.
Major Metz’s son, Jimmy Metz, accepted the honor Friday. Major Metz’s plane crashed in April of 1968 after being hit by flak during a reconnaissance mission. He was observed to eject from his plane, his parachute deployed, and he landed on a hillside in a tree. After attempting to make contact by radio, and searching the location of his landing, Major Metz was not found. His fate remained unknown until March 18, 1977, when his remains were returned.
It was retroactively announced that another star has been assigned to a local Distinguished Service Cross recipient, the second highest honor a serviceman can receive, to Famous Lee Lane. Lane, of Poplar Bluff, died April 20, 1966, in the Binh Thuan province, South Vietnam, while helping wounded soldiers to safety.
Another local resident, Specialist 4th Class Ricardo Leal Rios, who was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his service as a medic in Vietnam was also honored during the program. Rios lives in Doniphan and worked for many years in the health care field.
As Friday’s celebration came to a close and the flags were carried out of the room, the prayers were delivered, and the songs were sung, the members of VVA Chapter 1056 gathered together to talk, reminisce, look at some mementos and pictures supplied by Major Metz’s son, and to celebrate the bond that they have. And the bond that they have shared with all who served in that particular war as younger men. As only brothers can.