St. Charles County Veterans Museum Honors Vietnam Veterans

By Carmelo Turdo

Vietnam Veterans were honored Sunday at the St. Charles County Veterans Museum in O'Fallon, MO. Fellow veterans and guests gathered to pay tribute to those who served during the very controversial conflict and wish a "Welcome home" to our soldiers, sailors and airmen who were not welcomed upon their return from Southeast Asia. With the signing of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, every March 29 is recognized as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration "honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. armed forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location." Ceremonies like the one featured here were hosted by communities around the country over the last few days.

The museum and surrounding grounds contain exhibits and displays that honor veterans of America's major wars, including a significant space dedicated to the Vietnam War. Here we include a brief tour from our visit before and after the ceremony.

The F-4 Phantom II cockpit exhibit, provided by the Gateway Youth Aeronautical Foundation, was open for visitors to climb in and imagine themselves flying a mission. An aircraft like the one represented by the restored cockpit was flown by the keynote speaker, BG Mike Brandt, pictured here with Joe Steimann, the Foundation's President and the cockpit's restorer. Also pictured here are the St. Charles County Young Marines.

The formal ceremony began at 1:00 P.M. and was hosted by Len Berkel, President of Vietnam Veterans of America Mid Rivers Chapter 458. The colors were posted, the National Anthem was sung and the Pledge of Allegiance was given. The invocation was provided by Rev. Bob Lake.

The first guest speaker featured here is Mayor of O'Fallon, MO, Bill Hennessy. "Today is the day of remembrance," he said to the large audience gathered in front of the museum. "Remembrance of those who served and those who gave their all in defense of our nation's ideas and values. Those 58,220 casualties were just not a number - our fellow countrymen, our brothers, our sisters, sons, daughters, family members and friends. Their names remind us of the true cost of freedom...It is our solemn duty, as Americans, to insure that none of us ever, ever forget." 

The keynote speaker was BG Mike Brandt, USAF (Ret.). A St. Louis University graduate, he flew the F-4 Phantom in Vietnam and later the F-15 Eagle in the MO ANG. He later served as the Chief of Staff and Commander of the MO ANG. Trained by returning Vietnam War veteran instructors, then 1Lt Brandt was attached to squadrons flying in Southeast Asia flying close air support missions using new "smart" munitions. He also flew night escort missions for the AC-130 Spectre, dropping bombs on targets marked by the gunships. "We were going out to support troops in contact...We would rendezvous with the FAC, he drops the smoke on the ground and we'd circle to figure out how to drop that [bomb]," he said. "That was really the only mission that I felt I understood what I was supposed to be doing and that I was adding value to somebody on the ground that was fighting." With no "front lines," it was otherwise difficult to know how the mission was contributing to the war effort.

State of Missouri Recognition Medals were awarded by District 103 MO State Representative John Wiemann.  

        

Quilts of Valor Foundation, assisted by the Young Marines, presented eleven quilts to local Vietnam Veterans.

The flag-folding demonstration was provided by an AMVETS Post 106 Honor Guard.

At the conclusion of the formal ceremony, the motorcycle escort rumbled off to the annual wreath-laying at nearby Dames Park and the food was still being served!