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Show 6 Mews THE SAMPLER Thursday, December 2, 1982 The country salutes its veterans in moving ceremonies in Washington Nov. filled the imposing heights of the Washington, D.C., Cathedral; a group of about 60 persons listened to the recitation. .. One of the speakers wore the Medal of Honor around his neck. He said each name by SP5 James Garamone, Public Affairs Office, Military District of Washington They were reciting the names of 57,939 service- men and women who would never have a homecoming from Southeast Asia. clearly, but there was a quiver in his voice. He got to one name and couldn't go on. Three persons stood in Tears streamed down the front of the altar at the War Memorial Chapel. The names face of tills combat veteran. The recitation erans slaute.Groups clustered around the print-out- Wednesday, Nov. 10 and was one of a number of activities s, held from Wednesday through Saturday (Nov. looking for friends. time, and this time they sent me back to the States." wonder if that could be Bobby? Dan Woods said almost to himself. "Bobby was the medic attached to my platoon when I got hit the second time. I never got a chance to thank him for what d he did for me. They me out of there, and I never saw him or the rest of my buddies again." Woods served with the 1st Infantry Division in 1969. He now is a computer programmer living in North Carolina with his wife and two kids. "I heard about the reunion a month ago," he said as his eyes searched the crowds of vets to spot a friend. "I had to come up here. My wife understands. I felt I owed it to the guys in my platoon who were killed.! Woods believes he's fairly typical ofthe men who served in Vietnam. "I was working construction when I got my "1 to salute the nation's veterans of Southeast Asia. The Sheraton Washington Hotel was the site for the' Army reunion of Vietnam veterans. Computer printouts hung on dividers listing the names of those who were 10-1- hit the first time,, and then was back with my unit in a week. I had only a month to go when I got hit the second in town for the Vietnam vet- began 3) Woods didnt expect the reception he got upon returning. "I almost seemed as vif these people blamed me for what went on in South Vietnam," he said. "I was called more things than I care to remember, and my friends wno didn't go to Nam acted as if I were a leper. "It got so I just wouldnt talk about it," he continued. "But in the alst two or three years, I noticed a change. It seemed that people finally woke up to the fact that we weren't scum to be spat upon. Maybe we did a good Joe iri an impossible situation. This seems to be the culmination 'rnede-vacce- of it all.". His eyes went back to the . on the computer print-o- u divider. I've got to give that number a call. Sure hope that's Bobby." The Special Forces (SF) reunion at the Sheraton was a marvel to behold. "Most of us never met each other just because of the nature of qur mission in Nam," said one draft notice," he said. "In North Carolina, you don't resist the draft, you go. I went through basic and got my orders for Nam. I was in the country a month when I was THE VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL 10-1- 3 man. "But we all pretty much heard of each other." The men gathered around. the suite dressed in every-to thing from- business suitsunjungle fatigues to military iforms. The one thing they had in common was the green beret. "We're an elite unit, said the man. "Most of the people here spent at least two tours in Nam, and we're all volunteers. We did a damn good job over there." On Saturday, Nov. 13, a group of SF were gathered at the. Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A man wearing a green beret came over with a pack on. He opened it and took out those uniquitous cardboard boxes of - , ns. They were greeted with laughter and recognition all around. "I used to use these things for postcards home," said one man. The man with the rations he was busy with his P-3- 8; hauled out some "John Wayne Bars'. "Hey, who wants one of these? he. asked. "Damn, even the Vietnamese didn't want those," was the answer. "You'd give them to the kids and they'd throw them back to you." "Sure brings back memories, said another man. The organizers of the national salute to Vietnam veterans said that Saturday's parade was the largest in the About 15,000 citys history. Constitution down marching I Avenue were watched by 150,000 spectators.There was euphoria in the faces of the marchers as people Lane or SOFA La-Z-B- oy with canes bfaved the frosty, windy day to finally get the recognition they deserved. "I waited 15 years for something like this," said one man: "Better late than never." RECUNERS PALM SPRINGS OR PONDEROSA ISH1 cheered them. Veterans in wheelcharis, on crutches or . Large selection of wall savers and rockerrecliners in stock ALL RECUNERS REDUCED MODELS "When I got back from Vietnam I went to the bus station in Oakland to get home," said Warren Lockwood, who Priced From Top quality construction Gives beautiful sofa by day and comfortable sleeper by night. served with the Americal division. "This group of good-lookichicks came over to me and started calling me a baby killer and told me that what Id done was immoral -- 1 sure hope some of them are watching this parade." Gen. (Ret.) William C. ng Your -- Choice Fantastic Color TV Values CEDAR CHESTS Westmoreland was the commander in Vietnam for many Lane years before becoming the Army's Chief of Staff. He marched with the Alabama contingent at the head of the 19 COLOR - parade. Zenith Custom Series Color TV Model Y1908W. 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In that there is space for eachportion, soldier to estimate the value of things like commissary and exchange privileges, education programs, recreational activities and travel. The Armys Office of the Deputy Chief of Staff for Personnel has emphasized yet another aspect of the compensation statements. An ofspace-availab- le ficial said that the U.S. Con- Shseh DEALER V 1 !. . ; ;'' gress has not indicated any intention to provide soldiers with extra pay or allowances when military facilities are not used or are not readilv available. 60 soumciiniiN, |