FORT SILL, Okla. (March 3, 2016) -- Fort Sill saluted Vietnam veterans with a flag presentation, Feb. 26, at the Lawton Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic on post. Dozens of veterans, clinic staff and post and VA leaders attended the ceremony.
The event was part of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and President Barack Obama's proclamation to honor the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans.
"It was a beautiful ceremony," said former Soldier Winston Felton, 65, of Lawton, who served two tours in Vietnam. "It was something that we needed for a long time."
During the ceremony, Col. Glenn Waters and Command Sgt. Maj. Walter Puckett, Fort Sill Garrison commander and CSM respectively, presented the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Flag to the clinic. Michael Washington, administrative officer; Patricia Henderson, nurse manager; and Dr. Ernesto Quiñones, medical director, accepted the flag on behalf of the clinic, which serves 9,000 veterans.
Waters thanked three groups.
"Thank you for serving. As Soldiers we should take care of each other, my hat's off to you," he said, to the Vietnam veterans. "We all know the history of the war, and how you weren't taken care of when you came Caution-home."
Waters thanked all care takers of veterans, including the VA, civilian medical facilities and families and friends. He also acknowledged the organizers of the ceremony.
The colonel went on to talk about the flag, whose features include the Vietnam Service Medal (ribbon); a black ring to serve as a reminder of those who were killed, held as POWs or are missing in action; and a green laurel wreath that signifies honor for all who served. The words service, valor and sacrifice appear on the flag.
Speaker Dr. Gerald Darnell, Oklahoma City VA Healthcare System interim director, said VA staff are privileged and are proud to work with veterans.
"The VA is where we treat America's heroes," Darnell said. "We want to honor all the men and women who served in defense of our country, so this (ceremony) is very important."
Tom Easterly, Plans, Analysis and Integration director, and the commemoration's program manager, served as the master of ceremonies. He read the presidential proclamation, which was signed May 25, 2012.
It noted that more than 3 million U.S. servicemen and women served in Vietnam; 58,000 died in the war; and "let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor." The 13-year proclamation runs through Nov. 11, 2025.
The flag presentation was one of the events Fort Sill has sponsored since the proclamation was enacted. In April 2013, there was a huge welcome home ceremony at Rinehart Fitness Center here with hundreds of vets attending. The installation will continue to host events to honor Vietnam veterans, Easterly said.
Ceremony attendee Tor Littau, Comanche County Veterans Council volunteer, said it was a wonderful ceremony.
"The council has been involved with Fort Sill and downtown (organizations), and we've always had great support from the installation," he said.
About four months ago when Fort Sill received the flag and accompanying certificates from the DoD Vietnam War commemoration committee, Easterly and Puckett had to decide the best place to display the flag. They chose the clinic because that's a place that draws many veterans, Easterly said.
Washington, who is a Vietnam-era veteran, said having a ceremony to honor veterans was outstanding. He said the flag will be framed and displayed inside the entrance to the clinic.
Vietnam veteran Bennie Miles, 63, of Lawton, served 12 years in the Army before retiring for medical reason.
"It was a nice ceremony," said Miles, who was in Vietnam for a little over a year in 1970. "They haven't recognized Vietnam veterans enough, and I'm glad some groups and people have decided to honor us. It made me proud."
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