March 19, 2024

More than just names on a wall

Forty-eight years ago today, Aug. 17, 1968, an armored personnel carrier made its way through the Binh Dinh province of Vietnam. Like most Army squadrons at that time, they were a portrait of diversity. Gonzalez was Hispanic from California. Steiner was a Jewish kid from Upper New York and Highlander was the jokester from the backwoods of Kentucky. They served alongside Gary VanBaale, a Dutch kid from Newton. Aug. 17 started just as any other day. They all crossed off a box from their short timer’s calendar and reported for duty. As they patrolled the area, they shared stories of their dreams for the future, girls back home and general small talk to fill the day. Those dreams were suddenly shattered by a roadside bomb. The vehicle was overturned and through the ensuing chaos, three men lost their lives. Gary was the only survivor but was badly wounded.

I met Gary in 2011 through the Jasper County Freedom Flight. He was reluctant to go at first but eventually decided to attend. I watched him at the Vietnam Wall in D.C. as he gently pulled out a slip of paper with three names written on it. His hand slowly made it to the black granite, and he was briefly reunited with his three fallen comrades. As you can imagine, it was a very emotional moment. That is an experience that cannot be described in words and was repeated dozens of times during each Freedom Flight. To those who served in Vietnam, they aren’t just names on the wall. They are living, breathing memories. They are their friends. They are their eternal brothers.

I became close to Gary after that trip. He would often stop by my office and check in. Sometimes just to say hi, sometimes to vent and sometimes to talk about Vietnam. During one of those visits he handed me a tattered piece of paper from his billfold with three names on it and asked me if I would make sure they were never forgotten. Panel 48W. Three names forever engraved in granite and memories. I was honored and humbly accepted his offer. I now carry the paper with me daily.

We took a bus trip to Forest City last year for the Vietnam Welcome Home gathering. Forty or so Vietnam vets and guests made the trip. Gary was on board with a full ankle boot after foot surgery. After a couple of hours, I acquired a golf cart and found Gary sitting on a bench. I smiled and stated, “you look like you need a cold drink!” We made our way to the beverage tent and were glad we did. Outside the tent sat a refurbished replica of a Vietnam Era armored personnel carrier. You could instantly see the emotions flow across Gary’s face. It was the first time he had seen an APC since leaving Vietnam. Gary slowly circled the APC several times and stopped for a quick picture. We made our way to the beverage tent where Gary’s mind drifted back to 1968. I sat quietly while Gary reminisced, tears slowly fell and I could see the memories roll across his face in waves. It was a moving experience for both of us.

There are countless men like Gary in Jasper County. They served in a land far away from home, oftentimes in conditions that no person should ever have to experience. Most have their own list. Sometimes written down, sometimes tucked away in a quiet corner of their mind. Forty-eight years is a long time. I promise that we will never forget. Welcome home.

Doug Bishop is a veterans activist in Jasper County. He helped coordinate the Jasper County Freedom flights to Washington, D.C. and currently chairs the Jasper County Veterans memorial committee and serves on the National Association of Counties Veterans Affairs Committee.