FORT BENNING, Ga., (May 6, 2015) -- Soldiers, veterans and Family members of the 1st Battalion, 50th Infantry Regiment Association for Vietnam Veterans honored the sacrifices of fallen service members and celebrated the unveiling of a new monument during a dedication and wreath-laying ceremony that took place April 30 at the headquarters of the 1st Bn., 50th Regt.
"This is a great day, and it has been a great week," said Lt. Col. William A. Kahmann, 1st Bn., 50th Inf. Regt. commander. "In a moment we are going to dedicate a great commemorative monument. I wanted to say thank you to the association for allowing the current 1st Bn., 50th Inf. Regt. officers, noncommissioned officers and Soldiers to be a part of this dedication in your reunion. We are truly honored to be a part of this occasion."
The ceremony was part of a biennial reunion for the veterans that has taken place at Fort Benning for the last few years, said Maj. Kenneth Bath, executive officer of the 1st Bn. 50th Regt. Infantry, 198th Infantry Brigade. The vets and their Families arrived Tuesday evening. The program officially began Wednesday morning with a stop at a dining facility, visit to the National Infantry Museum and a barbecue at Uchee Creek. On Thursday, they attended a Turning Blue ceremony then arrived for the dedication and wreath laying, followed by a tour of the Armor Restoration Center and finally a banquet. The whole event concluded Friday with a 1st Bn. 50th Inf. Regt. graduation ceremony.
"The biennial reunions are an important event for all of the veterans and their Families," Bath said. "And, a large part of that is the chance it offers them to fellowship and remember their fallen comrades."
Retired Maj. Gen. James Jackson was the guest speaker for the occasion, and he spoke of the legacy left by Vietnam veterans: how the current Army was "built by Vietnam veterans" and the importance of remembering and recognizing their valiant efforts on the battlefield.
"We are reminded that Soldiers don't start wars, but Soldiers are required to fight in them. ... We also are reminded that the Soldiers who served in Vietnam did so with great valor," he said. "Vietnam veterans did not return home to a thankful nation. Their return home was not marked with parades or formal recognition for their service. Their Families endured hardship, in many cases losses of loved ones without the support of their community. Our wounded returned home with injuries and scars and were alone, without the popular outpouring of assistance we see today."
During the ceremony Jackson presented commemorative pins to Family members of the men whose names are on the new monument, reminding them that their loved ones are not forgotten. A moment of solemn remembrance followed the unveiling of the monument and laying of the wreath, and the sound of Taps ended the ceremony.
"It started of course with my brother in Vietnam in 1968," said Joan Bellwood, the sister of Spc. Richard Roy Bellwood, whose names is inscribed on the new monument. "He was killed Jan. 25, 1969. I was his younger sister - I always wanted to meet the men who my brother fought with, and I knew some day I would. In the summer of 2000, I was called by my brother's team leader and from that day going forward I met many of his comrades. (Along with my son) we attended many reunions and participated in many functions."
Bellwood described how the reunion, and events for remembering the Soldiers and veterans, have been a solace she wasn't sure she would find.
"Meeting my brother's friends and comrades over the years has been the greatest part of my life other than having my son. I have a part of my brother back. "
She emphasized how these events help not just the Families, but the veterans who survived Vietnam to move forward and always remember.
"They are truly brothers, and they truly never forget. Never, ever. As painful as it has been for my Family, it has been for them. They are Family. So, I am here today as I have been for many other events, and I am honored to be here.
"People often told me 'Your brother died for nothing,' and that is so not true," she said. "He died for their country (Vietnam) and he died for us. I am proud to be here. I am proud to be an American. I am honored that my brother's name will remain on this wall, and I am forever proud that my brother died for this country."
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