If you look at the tall girl in my header picture that is my mom Cecilia's cousin Hedwige. She lost her only son in Vietnam and today I will honor him and all the men and women who died in that awful conflict they called Vietnam.
James Louis Turner was born on February 7, 1946. in La Junta, Colorado. He died on April 26, 1968 at Quang Nam, South Vietnam. He was a Cpl E4 in the USMC.. His mother passed away on October 24, 1976. I doubt she ever recovered from the grieve of her loss. James began his Vietnam tour on November 22, 1967. He was a ground casualty and his body was recovered. His name is on the Wall Panel 52E Line 25. Please visit his name on the wall if you are ever in Washington D.C. He took an assignment at the last moment, and the operations clerk who typed his order was the man who was suppose to go. For whatever reason God had he took James instead. That gentleman Ronald Campbell deserves my respect and my prayers as he is here and James is gone. But for reasons none of us will ever know we live and we die on God's terms.
I thought perhaps you would share a little personal history with me here. I am sorry I do not have a photo to show you. When the traveling wall came to Thornton two years ago I could not take myself away from it. I went there every day for five days and I walked the rows and looked at names and thought how many families were torn because of their losses. War is an awful thing.
Looking back and reflecting on Vietnam I say our nation was very disrespectful to those men and women who served. I could tell you more personal stories but then I would never stop to post. I just know many were hurting and our nation turned their backs on these fine upstanding men and women. They were sent there by a government who refused to stick by them when they came home crippled and depairing. If you do not believe me, come to my city and take a walk on the 16th Street Mall in downtown Denver. You will see dozens of Vietnam Vets lying in doorways, begging with handmade signs.
They did the world a great service and the world disrespected them. My thoughts and prayers are with each and every family that lost their loved one in that awful war.
As always, when I am praying for God's perfect timing, He ultimately gives it to me.
"Those who walk uprightly enter into peace." Isaiah 57:2
Never forget.
15 comments:
Bless you. Beautiful Post. Beautiful tribute to a young man gone too soon.
As a mother of only one son and one daughter I would be devastated if something happened to either of them. Losing them because of a war, even more so...
May God continued to be with those who carry on...and those who will never recover from their loss.
Love to you~Rebecca
I agree - I think our Viet Nam Vets still hurt.
It is by God's grace to me that I am able to live here in the USA and I thank every soldier who has served so that I may live here in freedom.
Sandie
I have said before that Viet Nam touched me! My Dad was there my Senior Year of High School. He came home! I know how lucky our family was. So many did not. My Dad was a man of Honor and Marine and I have deep respect for all who serve our country. Viet Nam vets are still hurting...many lost their lives in Viet Nam but many came home but still have not found theirs. Keep them all in your prayers!
As I wrote in my post today, my father is a Vietnam veteran. He bears only one scar from his tour . . . a deep scar on his right temple. It is where someone broke a beer bottle over his head when he returned home. He was having a beer somewhere in Texas, awaiting his final flight to his hometown, still in uniform. Someone walked up, called him a baby killer, and broke a beer bottle on his head.
Can you imagine.
I'm very sorry for your family's loss. You honored them beautifully today.
What a beautiful way to honor your family member! And a beautiful way to pay tribute to those who served valiantly - whether they returned home alive or not - in Viet Nam. I totally agree that those heros were completely disrespected upon their return, not just by the average citizen, but by film stars (no name drop here, but we know who she is). It's a shame it took the Gulf wars/conflicts for the VA to open their "eyes" to illnesses such as Agent Orange, but thankfully they are finally paying some respect and giving these soldiers/sailors some of their hard earned dignity back.
We lived in Maryland for 4 years when we got married. We visited the Wall several times when we were there. It was an experience I'll never forget.
Just this week the Ride for the Wall came through West Virginia. I didn't get to see them all but I did get to see a few. Words can't describe the emotions that go through you as you see them and know what they are doing. I did get the privilege of talking to one of the men last year as they were rolling through. I don't know why but you just want to hug them and cry. I didn't but I just might next year! They actually camp out in a nearby town and I would like to take them some homemade goodies.
My dad had already finished his 4 years in the Army but he signed up again to go to Vietnam. I was born when he was there and he didn't get to see me until I was almost a year old. He got out a little earlier than scheduled because his dad died when he was there on Christmas Day.
Hugs,
Angela
All of the soldiers that serve deserve our respect and honor -
...it is our govenrmental leadership, I'm not so sure about.
It breaks my heart when our military are disrespected. God bless them.
DEAR ANN,
OH MY...HER ONLY SON FOR A COUNTRY THAT TAKES FREEDOM FOR GRANTED EVERY SINGLE DAY.WE SHOULD BE ASHAMED AS A COUNTRY FOR HOW WE TREATED OUR VIET NAM VETS UPON RETURNING HOME. IT WOULD JUST TAKE THESE PEOPLE ONE VISIT TO A VA HOSPITAL OR VA CLINIC TO OPEN THEIR EYES AS THEY TOUR WITH BOTH LEGS...OPEN THE DOOR WITH EITHER HAND THEY WANT, AND SEE AND HEAR(AND THOSE ARE THE SIMPLE ISSUES). THERE IS SO MUCH I COULD SAY BUT I HAVE TO PRAY THEY WILL SEE THE TRUTH ONE DAY AND I HOPE IT WON'T BE WHEN THEIR CHILD CHOOSES TO ENLIST AND COMES HOME TO A GREETING THEY MAY HAVE OR HAVE NOT GIVEN AND LEAST NOT IN A FLAG DRAPED COFFIN.
MY HEART GOES OUT TO EVERY FAMILY WHO HAD A LOVED ONE DIE IN THE WAR, NO MATTER WHAT WAR...AND I PRAY GOD'S BLESSING UPON EVERY ONE WHO HAS FAUGHT OR IS FIGHTING FOR OUR RIGHT TO LIVE IN FREEDOM.
IT IS A HIGH PRICE THE SOLDIER AND HIS FAMILY PAYS.
I TOO, HONOR OUR MILITARY TODAY AND EVERY DAY. MAY GOD'S HAND OF PROTECTION BE UPON EACH ONE OF THEM.
THANK YOU ANN FOR SHARING A PART OF YOUR LIFE THAT IS SO PAINFUL BUT IS SUCH AN INSPIRATION.
LOVE, HUGS AND BLESSINGS
SIMPLY DEBBIE
This is so sad. My husband and I were just talking about the Vietnam veterans.
God Bless,
Ginger
I agree, it was an ugly time in our history, those boys deserved better! Sorry for you losses. What a lovely tribute posting.
Lovely tribute to your cousin..too young..I think as time passes our generation is realizing the sacrifice the vietnam vets gave for us, but I remember the disrespect so many received and never understood it..those were the times when even celebrities were starting to get on the bandwagon against that war, such as Hanoi Jane Fonda..why folks even listen to celebrity opinions is beyond me, but she should have been tried on treason as far as Iam concerned.
Ok rant over..great post, hugs and love
Barb
I too think it is terrible the way the Viet Nam vets were treated. I think people are just now beginning to appreciate them and respect them for what they did. Thank you for sharing this tribute to James Turner and other vets.
Have a good week.
Blessings,
Charlotte
Oh yes, the continued horrors of Nam... -sigh-
Gentle hugs...
God bless our military!
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