3-29....Vietnam Veterans Day.

There is a woman who owns a small RV park in the small town near where I live (pop 2,000). When she was a young teen, she "adopted" an MIA in Nam. She still wears the string-type bracelet. Every evening, at dusk, she plays the Star Spangled Banner on outside loud speakers. You can hear it across the whole town. Most people staying in the RV park step outside, either salute or place their hand over their heart, for a moment of respect for all Vets.

Every fall, she sponsors a Veterans Ball, a formal event with dinner and dancing, in a local venue. I went one year and it was really nice. Several old guys came wearing their old dress uniforms and one or two young current military guys also came in uniform.

Some months ago, she purchased a lot on Main Street and built a memorial for all Vets, especially 'Nam, with benches to sit on, paths to walk on. It's really impressive for such a small community.

I still have my late husband's DD214.
 
When she was a young teen, she "adopted" an MIA in Nam. She still wears the string-type bracelet.
I did the same. Madison Strohlein... still missing. Vietnam Task Force Advisory Element TF-1AE. I'll never forget him.

"On June 22, 1971, he and three other U.S. soldiers parachuted into their mission area in South Vietnam to conduct a reconnaissance mission. The men became separated during their jump and were unable to link up on the ground. Sergeant Strohlein was injured during the jump and radioed to request a medical evacuation, but radio contact with him was lost before rescuers could reach him. When contact was lost, enemy forces were moving near his position. When a search team managed to reach the area the next day, they found SGT Strohlein's weapon and signs of a firefight, but could not locate him. He remains unaccounted for."
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