Governor, adjutant general pay tribute to Vietnam vets at wall display

Missouri Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, speaks at a ceremony opening an exhibit of the traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial at Fox High School in Arnold. (Bill Phelan photo)



Governor Jay Nixon pays tribute to Vietnam Veterans after placing a wreath at an exhibit of the traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial at Fox High School in Arnold. (Bill Phelan photo)




By Bill Phelan
Ngmo.pao@US.ARMY.MIL

ARNOLD, Mo. - Opening ceremonies for an exhibit of the traveling Vietnam Wall Memorial in Arnold drew Governor Jeremiah Nixon and Missouri Adjutant General, Maj. Gen. Stephen L. Danner, as the featured speakers.

Hundreds attend the solemn, Oct. 14 ceremony at the Fox High School football field where the memorial was on display throughout the weekend.

Nixon, a De Soto native, recalled the military service of his father and other Jefferson County residents who came before and after.

"Some people live their lives wondering if they made a difference," Nixon said. "Our Veterans don't have that problem. I saw it in my father, who served in World War II and Korea, and I've seen it in other Veterans from my home town."

The wall, Nixon said, is proof that Americans never forget the sacrifices of military veterans, regardless of the popularity of the conflict in which they served.

"The names of Missourians who laid down their lives for our nation are recorded on memorials and in military cemeteries around the world from Normandy to Jefferson Barracks," he said. "In Arnold and in Jefferson County, many were called to serve in Vietnam and many of those heroes' names are enshrined on the walls you see behind me. In many cases, our nation was slow to honor those who served during Vietnam. We must continue the efforts to make that right. We will not forget their sacrifice."

Danner told the crowd that the dedication of Vietnam Veterans serves as an example for today's military.

"I've always looked up to Vietnam Veterans and I can't begin to tell you what your service has meant to me and to the Citizen-Soldiers and Airmen of the Missouri National Guard," Danner said. "I served in the 1st Cavalry Division in 1972 and it was there, as a young private, that I had the distinct honor to serve with Veterans of Southeast Asia."

Recalling the 5,444 Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry killed in Vietnam, Danner said the sacrifices of those and other living Veterans are still paying dividends.

"They made sure that others didn't have to endure what they did," he said. "The Vietnam generation improved the Veteran's Administration and brought issues like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder out of the closet. They fought for service member health benefits and educational rights. Thousands of Missouri servicemen and women who served in Iraq and Afghanistan and around the globe have benefited because of Vietnam Veterans."

Both Nixon and Danner paid tribute to the Patriot Guard, a motorcycle organization of Vietnam Veterans who escort the funeral processions of military personnel killed in the line of duty.

"Today's military Veterans stand in awe of you," Danner said. "Your presence and the generations that you have mentored has made us feel welcome home and that is something we can never thank you enough for but we can certainly try."

For more information about the Missouri National Guard, please call 1-800-GoGuard or visit www.moguard.com.

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For more information about this release, please contact UPAR Bill Phelan at 314-416-1868 or cell, 314-556-5428 or e-mail bill.phelan@us.army.mil .