Shirley Flores's Essay: Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Edward E. Davis, also known as Earl Davis, was born in early 1916. He is currently 97 years old, and is at least the oldest living World War II veteran in Smyth County, Virginia. At age twenty five, on September 8, 1941, Davis was drafted into the United States Army and was sent for basic training in South Carolina. He was one of five children, all boys, and they all served in the United States military. His official title in the United States Army was to be a carrier, a mortar gunner and ammunition carrier. Davis was married to Mary Irene Tolliver Davis, who unfortunately passed away on March 29, 2005 at 82 years old.

Sam Siatta’s experience fully includes the heroic archetypal journey, in which his physical and emotional skills are tested not just along the battlelines, but at home, too. C.J. Chivers, the author of “The Fighter,” illustrates the physical and emotional costs which Siatta endured--primarily focusing on the initiation and return parts from his journey. With variations, however so slight in representing the archetypal journey, “On the Rainy River,” and “Speaking of Courage” by Tim O’Brien, and “Slaughterhouse-Five, by Kurt Vonnegut, support and refute Siatta’s experience, and their characters comparatively represent the physical and emotional hardships Siatta endured throughout all three stages in his journey. A stark difference exists between Sam Siatta from “The Fighter,” and Tim O’Brien from “On the Rainy River.”

John Carhart said, “The jurors know nothing of the real war in Vietnam - the television portrayal was far from adequate. The net result is that the design the jury chose as the winner was necessarily a function of their perception of the war they lived through in America” (Source E). There were really two wars going on at this point. The first one was a military war fought in Vietnam and the other was a political war going on here at home (Source E). When the civilians who voted for the memorial, they only knew and experienced the political war. If veterans would have chosen the design, it would not be this one. People who lived through the war, like John Carhart, should have chosen what the design would

Frederic Whitehurst served three tours of duty during the Vietnam war. During his time of service, he was awarded the Navy and

On page 38 It shows that Mr. Frye served in Vietnam from December 7, 1965 until June 6, 1966.

WOOSTER — Friday morning, a group of 24 veterans pulled out of the parking lot of Shreve American Legion in a chartered bus heading to see the war memorials in Washington, D.C.

Felix Longoria is a name that should be recognizable to the general public, but, sadly, it is not. This young father and husband answered the call of duty in November of 1944 and after basic training, was immediately shipped off to fight in the Philippines. Serving as an infantryman, he volunteered to join a patrol that was to weed out and exterminate enemy snipers. On June 16th, 1945, he would give the ultimate sacrifice for his nation while on this particular patrol. According to the reports that his family received the war department found that the cause of death occurred when a mortar was fired towards him and half of his body was eviscerated. Since the war effort was still ongoing, it would be three years before his body would be able to come home to Three Rivers, Texas for a proper burial.

"This is a good year," he said. "This year, we're having participation from the Edgewood Summit Home, who are bringing three older veterans who are approximately 99 years old, and one in particular who helped start the West Virginia Air National Guard is going to be with us."

No matter how hard a person can try, they can never forget their recollection of the horrors in war. Some people are driven by their to the dark point of being severely depressed and/or suicidal, and in some cases, committing suicide. Norman Bowker kills himself in The Things They Carried due to the guilt from his friend’s death and the feeling that he had no purpose in his life anymore. On the other hand, Chris from Miss Saigon lives in turmoil after Kim commits suicide. James Blake Miller also lives in confusion and distress after coming home because he is traumatized from being in combat. Veterans are haunted by memories from war; some vets find the rest of their lives controlled by these memories, which slowly destroys the possibility for a stable and hopeful life.

John Ever should be commemorated because he had helped the people regain their collective memory. Evertown it is over 100 years old and an important part of the community’s collective memory. Similarly when

During that summer he took many different back strengthening exercises, and in September he was accepted by the Navy. In March 1943, as a lieutenant he took command of a PT (torpedo) boat in the Solomon Islands. On the night of August 2, his boat was cruising west of New Georgia it was rammed and sunk by a Japanese destroyer. He rallied the survivors and managed to get them to an island after being thrown across the deck onto his back. He then towed a wounded man three miles through a rough journey through different seas. He was a very brave man, for several days he risked his life repeatedly, swimming into dangerous waters hoping to find a rescue ship. He finally met up with two friendly islanders and sent them for aid with a message that he carved on a coconut. Back home he received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and the Purple Heart, but his earlier back injury had been aggravated, and unfortunately he contracted malaria. After an operation on his back, he was discharged early in 1945.

Generation-after-generation, families unite to honor their loved ones. Regardless if those honored are alive or bereft, commander or commanded, we praise their service. There is a vast array of traditions to honor them.

In contrast, the second faction that appeared was a group that blamed the policy-makers, for the brutal defeat in the Vietnam War. This cluster was comprised mainly of military people that believed that if the government had taken action early in the war; hence the outcome would have been different. Their view of the Vietnam Memorial is that the memorial is meaningful in the struggle, chaos and death that several troops faced during combat. Even though an infinite amount of individuals opposed the war, it was in the United States best interest to assist an ally fight the battle against communism. Unfortunately, many oppose this view and do not respect what the soldiers did, nevertheless, war in inevitable and even though many soldiers died

Every year, June 16-19, the whole town gets together to celebrate an event called “Sheridan Days.” The large field beside the white, blue, and gold gymnasium is full of carnival rides and fun games that children can win stuffed animals from. In front of the high school, many vendors set up booths where people register to vote, buy food, and even get fake tattoos. At 6pm on June 18, hundreds of people gather on the sidewalks around Bridge Street, the main road that starts at the cemetery and goes all the way to the other side of town to the recently constructed veteran memorial, to watch the annual Sheridan Days parade. I would argue that the parade is nothing spectacular. Actually, I don't think it is any different from what it was 10 years ago: Firetrucks, police vehicles, horses, and school buses all make way from one end of the town to the

I would like to let you know how wonderful the Veterans Day convocation was. Everything from your opening speech, too the speaker who shared his tremendous war stories, the choir, and the memorial service outside was just exceptional. This event left a strong impact on me and really helped ground the world in which we live today. During our meeting you asked “What are some of my favorite experiences and memories from Woodward?”, I would like to add to what I said. It is the opportunity to be able to participate in events like the ceremony yesterday that due a remarkable job of trying the history to the present, reminding us of the role each one of plays in life and the reasons that should never be taken for