Photo by Linda Competillo
As part of the Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800’s recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29, retired US Navy Commander Wade Landis (left) and retired US Navy Chief Petty Officer Thane Benson, commander and immediate past commander, respectively, for the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 7127, Moravia, had just completed the wreath-laying ceremony at the memorial of Terrence Graves, honoring his service to his country. Graves was a U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient who lived in Groton and died serving his country in Vietnam in February 1968.
As outlined in the March 5 issue of this column, the Groton American Legion Carrington-Fuller Post 800 (the Legion) held a day of commemoration on March 29 — Vietnam War Veterans Day — the result of planning by 2nd Vice-Commander Paul Koekebacker, Chaplain and Finance Officer Keith Randolph and 1st Vice-Commander Fred Youngs.
by Linda Competillo
It brought more than 100 people together at 11 a.m. to honor those who served during the Vietnam War, particularly the service of 2nd Lt. Terrence C. Graves, in front of his granite memorial stone on Main Street. Graves was a U.S. Marine Corps Medal of Honor recipient who lived in Groton and died in Vietnam in February, 1968.
Post 800 Commander Frank Heine made opening remarks, followed by an invocation by Father John Gagnier from St. Anthony’s Roman Catholic Church in Groton.
Heine then gave what can best be described as a mini history lesson on the Vietnam War, from its beginning for the United States on November 1, 1955 through the last military unit’s departure on March 29, 1973.
“They fought under challenging conditions, and when their service ended, were not always welcome when they returned home, often blamed for a war they did not start when they should have been commended for serving their country with valor,” Heine said. “They came home and sometimes were denigrated when they should have been celebrated.”
“We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period,” Heine concluded. “All were called to serve, and none could self-determine where they would serve. Today, we honor them all for answering the call of duty and serving their country with valor.”
Following Heine’s remarks, the mayor of the village of Groton, Chris Neville; Tompkins County Legislators Lee Shurtleff and Michael Sigler; and the director of the Tompkins County Department of Veterans Services, J.R. Clairborne, each spoke, after which Heine recognized Gagnier, retired U.S. Navy Commander Wade Landis and retired U.S. Navy Chief Petty Officer Thane Benson, commander and immediate past commander, respectively, of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 7127, Moravia.
Guest speaker Gary Watrous, 2nd lieutenant and paratrooper for the 101st Airborne Division of the U.S. Army, served a tour of duty in Vietnam as a platoon leader and was wounded there. He knew Graves when they grew up in Groton and gave a heartfelt and moving tribute to him.
Landis and Benson then conducted the laying of a wreath at the Graves memorial. An honor guard was present throughout, and a 21-gun salute was given.
Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony, Koekebacker received a surprise presentation by Landis. Koekebacker served as a Spec 5 in the 173rd Airborne Brigade in Vietnam and was awarded a Bronze Star for valor. To his dismay, at some point, he lost the V-device from his bars. Landis presented him with a new one, which was a touching conclusion to that part of the day.
All then proceeded to the Legion post, where many more visited throughout the day. A special display outlining the history of the war and personal memorabilia provided by veterans and their families were a source of education for many and a remembrance for others.
“It’s a big part of your life and with you for years,” Koekebacker said. “I have camaraderie with guys I served with and get together with once a year. Today is unique, but I feel comfortable with all these guys who came.”
“It was an honor to participate and help set this up,” Youngs added. “I’m glad a lot of the community and veterans came out to enjoy it.”
Randolph said it was “a completion of a lot of planning. It’s a fulfillment of what the day is about and showing the public what the war was about, but also to welcome our veterans here who never got a welcome home.”
Legion member Gary Pataki served in the infantry as a lance corporal in the U.S. Marine Corps in the Second Battalion 4th Marine Division and served in Vietnam.
“Today means a lot to me,” Pataki said. “It’s nice that we all come together to appreciate this, and nice to see the guys from other Legions again. It’s fading as the years go by, and I don’t think people will see anything like this after I’m gone. This Legion is phenomenal. The people who work here do more than they’re appreciated for.”
Also present among those who came were 16 of the 96-member Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 377 of Dryden. Among them were Ron Dexter, an E4 Marine corporal; Gary Napieracz, the Chapter 377 president and Army Specialist E5; Dale VanBenschoten, Army Specialist E1 and Groton High School 1965 alumnus; and Jim and Patti Jones. Jim was a Seabee in the Navy, and Patti is a lifetime member of the Associates of the Vietnam Veterans of America. The Joneses are volunteer caretakers of the New York State Veterans Cemetery of the Finger Lakes (formerly Sampson Veterans Memorial Cemetery) in Romulus and proudly stated that it was the first veterans memorial cemetery in the state of New York.
Dexter said, “We went through a lot when we got home. This was wonderful.” Napieracz said, “It touched my heart.”
“This was a very special day, and it means a lot to me and the rest of the country,” VanBenschoten said. “We did what we were supposed to do over there, and I’m proud of it!”
“Today was an opportunity to recognize the sacrifices of the Vietnam-era veterans and appreciate their contributions to the effort,” Heine said. “They suffered a long time with a lack of proper recognition and respect for those sacrifices.”