Vietnam War memories are still strong for veterans 50 years later

Jeff Barron, Lancaster Eagle-Gazette
·2 min read
53
Rick Milheim, 4th District Director of the Vietnam Veterans of America, places flags on a marker as the names of Fairfield County natives who gave their lives in the Vietnam War are read. Veterans and residents attended a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War ending on March 29, 2023, in Lancaster, Ohio.
Rick Milheim, 4th District Director of the Vietnam Veterans of America, places flags on a marker as the names of Fairfield County natives who gave their lives in the Vietnam War are read. Veterans and residents attended a ceremony marking the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War ending on March 29, 2023, in Lancaster, Ohio.

LANCASTER − Wednesday marked 50 years since the last American troops left Vietnam, thus ending the United States' involvement in the war. But the memories still remain for those who fought in it.

"Personally, it's hard to believe it's been 50 years," city resident and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 10 President Rick Milheim said. "There's not a day that goes by that I don't remember being there and what happened and the people I met. And I'm talking not only about our brothers and sisters in arms, but some of the fine local inhabitants and indigenous people in Vietnam with whom I became friends."

A tear rolls down the face of Larry Mitchell, 75 of Lancaster, as he listens to the names of Fairfield County natives who gave their lives in the Vietnam War are read. Mitchell served in the Army Fourth Infantry and served two tours in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.
A tear rolls down the face of Larry Mitchell, 75 of Lancaster, as he listens to the names of Fairfield County natives who gave their lives in the Vietnam War are read. Mitchell served in the Army Fourth Infantry and served two tours in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969.

Milheim on Wednesday led his organization's ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary at the city's Vietnam War memorial at Main and Broad streets as March 29 is known as Vietnam War Veterans Day. The war raged on after the United States left, and did not officially end until April 30, 1975, with the fall of Saigon.

During the ceremony, he placed about 30 American flags around the memorial honoring those from Fairfield County killed in the war.

Milheim served from 1970 to 1970 in Vietnam with the army's security agency.

"Which we weren't there," he said referencing the unit's secrecy. "We were undercover. But we served in radio research. We weren't even actually allowed to wear our unit patch until after the war ended because there was a bounty on our heads from the Viet Cong."

The day after the military officially left Vietnam, Milheim returned to Saigon as a department of defense civilian worker.

Another Vietnam War veteran, Larry Mitchell, also attended the service and said he was glad he did.

"It's nice to be around all the veterans that are here," he said.

The Lancaster resident served in Vietnam from 1968 to 1969 in the army and received the Purple Heart.

Mayor David Scheffler read a proclamation and also learned something about how Vietnam War veterans are classified. Since he served during the war but was not in Vietnam, he's always considered himself a Vietnam War-era veteran. But during the service, Milheim said veterans such as Scheffler are considered full Vietnam War veterans.

Scheffler served at Fort Polk, Louisiana, which he said was where many service personnel heading to Vietnam left from.

jbarron@gannett.com

740-681-4340

Twitter: @JeffDBarron

This article originally appeared on Lancaster Eagle-Gazette: Vietnam War memories are still strong for veterans 50 years later