These past weeks have been a historic time not only for those who served and lived through the Vietnam War, but to succeeding generations of veterans and their families who benefit from the fight to address service-related injuries.
Thank you to Sen. Dave Lawson for the March 29 tribute endorsed by every member of our state’s Senate. Ten veterans were invited to the podium as Lawson, a fellow Vietnam veteran, read a tribute unanimously endorsed by all 21 senators. The date was significant because it marked 50 years since the end of U.S. combat engagement in Vietnam. The tribute was preceded by a reception in a second-floor caucus room hosted by Lawson. The majority of our 75-year-old-plus group, who in our youth tap-danced down stairs, used hand rails on the way down to the Senate.
Last November also marked the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in Washington, D.C., as was acknowledged by keynote speaker Jan Scruggs (founder of the wall) at our March 25 event that was moved indoors to Dover’s Levy Court chambers due to weather. The transition was simplified by recently arrived County Administrator Ken Decker who, along with County IT guru Mark Kennedy, made the ceremony very audience- and family-friendly. The event included the presentation of Chapter 850’s 14th service dog to a disabled veteran.
On March 31, USMC veteran Danny Garcia and his wife Jackie made Dover a stop on their Honor Walk 2023 at the Kent County Veterans Memorial Park. Sgt. Garcia, a Vietnam veteran, is known as “The Walking Man.” Since 1996, he’s walked over six continents praying for children, first responders and world peace. His wife Jackie, a retired Air Force officer, accompanies him. Bob Hartley, of Dover's MainStay Suites, provided lodging for the couple.
His book “Marines Don’t Cry,” covers his remarkable journey from young combat Marine to corporate trainer, law enforcement officer and ordained minister, guided by the self-discipline he learned in the Marines. The 2022 book is available on Amazon.
Most of all, thank you to the 3 million young men and women who served in Vietnam, especially the 58,292 on the wall who will remain forever young to us. Nor can we forget the hundreds of thousands who returned with lifelong physical and psychological injuries.
God Bless America and those who continue to defend her. They include our children and grandchildren.
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