Call Put Out To All Vietnam Veterans And Families

Daily Democrat - Woodland, CA, USA

Call put out to all Vietnam veterans and families
By KELLI GERMERAAD
Created: 12/05/2008 02:30:46 AM PST

This is a call to all Vietnam veterans and their families. California Department of Veterans Affairs and Vietnam Veterans of America, California State Council, invites you to join the 20th anniversary of the dedication of the California Vietnam Veterans Memorial, located behind the state Capitol in Sacramento.

The kickoff begins Dec. 10 with unit/organization reunions, a name reading, motorcycle toy run, parade, dedication ceremony and laying of wreaths. It concludes with a sunrise POW/MIA Ceremony on Dec. 14. There are activities large and small that veterans and their families can attend and participate in.

I can hardly believe that is has been 20 years since the memorial was dedicated. So much has happened since then, so much progress made in addressing veterans issues, all because the Vietnam veterans were determined to never let another generation of military personnel come back home unwelcome and forgotten. The men and women who served during Desert Storm, and those who are currently serving, will never understand the debt they owe the veterans of Vietnam.

I was at the original dedication, and I look forward to taking part in some of the activities this time. Locally, the Brotherhood of Vietnam Veterans is planning to rally area Vietnam veterans to join in on some of the events.

As I think back to some of the reasons that the memorial became a reality, I cannot help but think of one of my heroes, Brian Thomas "B.T." Collins. I became acquainted with him during the return of MIA remains at Travis Air Force Base and later during Desert Storm. We had conversations about making a difference, standing up for America, and service in our military. If you had the opportunity to meet or know B.T., it changed your life. He was a man who sacrificed a great deal while serving in Vietnam. He gave of his heart, his courage and his wit, and he never forgot the heroes he left behind. He lived life to the fullest for all of them.

Up until his untimely death in 1993, he turned politics as usual upside down by demanding more of us. He instilled in me the simple obligation of his words: "Is the world a better place because you were there?"

Mark your calendars for Dec. 10 through 14 in Sacramento. I am proud to stand in tribute to the Vietnam veterans who have touched my life, and to honor the memory of those who are no longer with us. For all who never saw the gratitude of this nation, I am proud to say, "Welcome home."

-- Kelli Germeraad is a Vacaville advocate for veterans' issues. E-mail her at vetsfrst@aol.com