Ol'Harry

THESE AREN'T CUSTER'S CALVARYMEN

Several hundred Vietnam War enthusiasts will converge on Grandover Resort June 1, 2016.  From Michigan to Atlanta, from Texas to New Bern, North Carolina, they’re coming to hear Joe Galloway talk about the Battle of la Drang and his best-selling book, We Were Soldiers Once…And Young.  

GRANDOVER RESORT -- GREENSBORO, NC

This talk is the West Point Society Piedmont’s idea of celebrating the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War.  The luncheon meeting is by reservation only -- details and registration available at https://secure.west-point.org/wps-piedmont/luncheon/.

The November, 1965 Battle of la Drang was the first major battle of the Vietnam War.  Joe Galloway was the only war correspondent on the ground during the battle.  For his bravery in rescuing wounded soldiers under fire, the Army awarded him a bronze star.

Of Galloway, a Vietnam veteran wrote, “Joe has been one of the few from the media who has been kind to us – he is a wonderful spokesman for our involvement.” 

Several members of the 1^st Battalion, 7^th Cavalry, 1^st Cavalry Division (Airmobile), including Medal of Honor recipient, Joe Marm have registered to attend.

While the North Carolina Vietnam Helicopter Pilots Association and North Carolina Chapter of the 1^st Cavalry Division Association will turn out in force to join their Air Cavalry peers, they will not lunch alone – Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard veterans – many who served in Vietnam – will join them. 

Officers from second lieutenants to generals will be on hand.  At least one command sergeant major will attend.  Probably, more than one private will show up.  While rank will have no privileges at this gathering – peace and decorum will not be a problem -- the group’s DNA is built around military courtesy.

One command sergeant major will be noticeable by his absence – CSM Basil L. Plumley.  The veteran of three wars and iconic senior enlisted leader during the Battle of la Drang died in 2012 at the age of 92.  Galloway will see to it that Plumley’s legacy is not forgotten.

It should also be noted that a huge number who did not serve militarily will be on hand to share the moment, including spouses, parents, children, grandchildren, friends, and some who just want to give Vietnam veterans the “Welcome Home,” they deserve.

“Grandchildren” was not a typo – “Thanks for opening this up to the public, this allows my husband and me to share my grandfather’s heritage – he served in Vietnam as an Air Force electronics warfare officer, wrote a respondent.” 

Given the Air Cavalry’s war-fighting technique, a litany of interesting military occupational specialties have surfaced among the registrants, including helicopter pilot, door gunner, flight engineer, mechanic and crew chief.

A Navy SEAL veteran of Vietnam and his wife, whose son is currently serving as a SEAL, a Riverine Boat Captain, a Naval Advisor, and an engineman will be among those representing the Navy.

Air Force-wise, there will be the Greensboro reservist whose crew flew to Hanoi in 1994 to repatriate the remains of two servicemen back to the U.S.

Among the Marines on hand will be three brothers – two served in Vietnam, the third is a MGySgt USMC (Ret.).  Also noticeable are over a dozen registrants from the Greensboro Marine Corps League – including veterans of World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq and the Gulf Wars.

A Gold Star Wife has registered, as has a 94-year old purple heart, bronze star recipient from World War II.  Several highly decorated Special Forces and Army Ranger veterans will be on hand.

The Human Resources Director of one of the largest Triad manufacturers, and possibly the largest employer of veterans wrote, “My Battalion Commander considered We Were Soldiers Once required reading.  I’ve read it more than once, seen the movie, and followed Mr. Galloway and General Moore throughout their careers – I will be at the luncheon, as will a large number of my employees.”

Not that they would want it mentioned, but the West Point Society will be the majority block at the luncheon – as it should be.  They’ve done the heavy lifting to make this a signature event, both for the Triad and for 50^th Anniversary observances.

The West Point Society Piedmont consists of West Point graduates, their spouses, families, and a broad cross section of the community -- meetings are open to the public.  The organization supports the U.S. Military Academy and members of the Armed Forces. 

Three West Pointers are shown in the photograph above.  Among numerous personal decorations, Dr. Mike Brennan, Colonel USA (Ret.), and Ted Crichton, Brigadier General USAF (Ret.) hold distinguished service medals.  Bill Trivette, Lieutenant Colonel, USA (Ret.) is President of the West Point Society of the Piedmont. 

Registration will close on Friday, May 27, 2016, or sooner if all seats are sold.  Current information is available at https://secure.west-point.org/wps-piedmont/luncheon/.