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JB MDL honors Vietnam vets

  • Published
  • By Pascual Flores
JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. --  More than 200 joint base community and military members gathered to commemorate the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War here Dec. 1. 

Joint base service members and local JROTC students honored the former Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen, who half a century ago, served their country in a war to defend Democracy for the people of South Vietnam. American service members served in Vietnam from November 1965 to the fall of Saigon in April 30, 1975.

Guest speaker retired Army Chaplain (Col.) Ronald W. Benzing, greeted the gathered masses with, "I'm going to say to you veterans across this congregation this afternoon: welcome home.'"

Benzing was assigned as chaplain with the Americal Division in Vietnam in 1968.

"Sadly, I conducted the final services for 135 Soldiers that year," said Benzing. "I remember those faces from those years in the past as being young men. Their faces will be forever etched in our minds, remembering those who stood with us."

Attending the ceremony were more than 100 Vietnam Veterans, many wearing leather jackets, vests or hats decorated with patches of their branch of service and time served overseas. The Vietnam War claimed the lives of 58,236 Americans and left thousands more wounded in body and spirit. More than 1,600 service members still remain unaccounted for. The war also produced 155 Medal of Honor recipients.

"More than a hundred Vietnam Veterans received the Medal of Honor, the majority of those heroes were awarded it posthumously; they laid down their lives for their friends," said Benzing. "Veterans paid with the ultimate price, they were alive one moment and gone in the next. No greater love than that of a man who lays down his life for his friends."

Benzing recalled his feelings returning from the war as one of joy to be reunited with loved ones, family and friends. For many families who prayed, worried and waited for their service member to return home, the joy never came.

"Many experienced the trauma of seeing the chaplain arrive at the front door of their home to break the news that they never wanted to hear," said Benzing. "A veteran, whether active duty or retired, National Guard or Reserve is someone who at some point of his or her life writes a blank check payable to the United States of America, and it said, up to and including the amount of my life."

Assigned to Fort Dix in 1990, Benzing served as the installation chaplain, supervising the chaplain ministry for more than 20,000 military members deploying to Southeast Asia in support of Operations Desert Shield and Storm.

During the ceremony, Benzing was presented with a framed picture of the Ultimate Weapon - a renowned Fort Dix statue of a Soldier.

"We cannot bring back the Vietnam Veterans from the grave, but we can remember the freedom we enjoy because of their sacrifices and not forget their faithfulness to their oath of office," said Benzing.

A commemorative 50-year anniversary lapel pin was presented to all veterans who served from November 1965 to April 30, 1975.

Addressing the gathered veterans Balderson said, "You embody the very characteristic those of us standing before you in uniform hope to emulate. You are the standard bearers of resiliency, hope and love of country."

For Col. Shelley Balderson, Army Support Activity-Fort Dix commander, the Vietnam War brought back memories of growing up in a military family.

"Both my parents served during the Vietnam War and as a 12 year old I truly did not understand the concept of the war," said Balderson. "This was a new war brought to life on television in our living room.

"To all of our Vietnam War era war veterans from all the services, whether here or places unknown and to all those families who sacrificed the loss of loved ones to that war, thank you," said Balderson. "Be proud as we are proud of you."

The ceremony concluded with the tolling of the bell, an old Navy tradition, for those who paid the ultimate price by service members for each of the military branches present during the Vietnam War and the playing of Taps.