Memorial Day ceremony held at Fort Bayard National Cemetery 052818

Photos and article by Mary Alice Murphy

The event was presented by the Marine Corps League Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328, and member Alfred Ogas served as the master of ceremonies on a breezy day with a hot sun blazing down on those not under shelter.

Small flags that had been placed by individuals and organizations decorated each and every grave. An avenue of flags, placed by Santa Clara, greeted everyone entering Fort Bayard, and an avenue of flags graced the road into Fort Bayard National Cemetery.

"I would like to recognize our member Frank Donohue, who does all the work behind the scenes," Ogas said. "It's sad to me that the school don’t teach the students what Memorial Day means. These kids are coming up and responsible for what will happen in our country. They need to remember the history and understand it."

He said he was drafted in 1967 and served in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam. "I have a strong feeling about Fort Bayard National Cemetery. My father, my mother and my sister are buried here."

Jesus Badillo of Cobre High School played "To the Colors" as the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 358 Color Guard presented the colors, with Bobby Polanco serving as Color commander.

The Hi Lo Silvers, led by Valdeen Wooton directing, sang the first and fourth verses of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

Danna Lopez of the Marine Corps League Detachment led the Pledge of Allegiance.

Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 Chaplain Robert Lopez presented the invocation.

Members of the Knights of Columbus Council 2242 escorted wreath bearers to place them in the pavilion.

Arlena Conklin, past New Mexico DAV commander, read "In Flander's Field."

The Hi Lo Silvers asked members of each branch of the service to stand or wave when their hymn was sung in "The Armed Forces Medley."

Donohue recognized the Gold Star Mother, Mary Cowan, as Marine Corps League Detachment 1328 Marc MacDonald presented her with flowers. Donohue also introduced the dignitaries sitting and standing throughout the pavilion.

Don Luhrsen of American Legion Post 18 presented the P.O.W.-M.I.A. table and the symbolism of everything on the table.

The guest speaker was John Paul Jones, U.S. Navy veterana, who served in Vietnam from 1967-68. "I served on a Swift Boat out of Da Nang."

"I am very humbled to have the honor of speaking before you," Jones said. "It is especially humbling that the Marines actually asked an old Navy guy. Semper Fi, brothers."

He first read a quote from an unknown author that said: "A veteran is someone who, at one point in his or her life, wrote a blank check made payable to the United States of American for an amount up to and including their life."

"We are here today to honor those whose checks were cashed," Jones said.

He thanked all Gold Star families for the sacrifice they made. "I also want to honor all my fellow veterans and their families. Welcome home."

Jones said Fort Bayard National Cemetery exemplifies what Memorial Day really stands for. More than 4,000 veterans are interred there, and they stand as a permanent blank check "we all signed when we joined up. The first soldier was laid to rest here in 1868, the last just a few days ago."

He said his father a veteran of Pearl Harbor and other Pacific campaigns during World War, winning a bronze star during the battle for Okinawa, was laid to rest at Fort Bayard in 1991. "My mother joined him just last year. This is personal hallowed ground for my sister and myself."

His sister, Judy, served 20 years, retiring as a Chief Hospital Corpsman in the early '90s.

"My personal journey began in January of 1967, when as a young naïve sailor of 19, I and my shipmates landed in Saigon, Republic of South Vietnam, after a 17-hour flight dressed in our finest wool blues, required travel uniform," Jones said. "The temperature in Saigon was 95 and the humidity was about 99 percent. We reported for duty to the commander of Coastal Squadron One, PCFs, most commonly known as Swift Boats."

He said he can still hear the sounds and smell the odors of Saigon. "Outside of Tijuana, most of us had never been to a foreign country. The immediate culture shock was enormous. Two days later, my five crew mates and I were headed to Da Nang and Coastal Division 12."

"For the next 12 months, we patrolled the coastal waters of I Corps from the DMZ and northernmost border to about 200 miles south," Jones said. "You might say we had it good compared to the guys on the ground, in the paddies and jungle. In some respects, we did. Sort of a war zone yacht club."

He described it as cruising up the coast on the blue ocean in a 50-foot motor boat, six guys and two bunks. "Never mind that the patrols were 24 on and 18 off, for months at a time. Weather was never an issue. We patrolled, no matter what. But not to worry, we were there to keep the bad guys out."

Jones said he thought those in charge never figured out they were the only ones dumb enough to order patrols to put to sea when the wind was 125 miles per hour and the waves were 50-feet high. "The bad guys weren't stupid."

He chuckled and said the boats they were patrolling on were made of aluminum, "perfectly capable of stopping a BB, if it hit just right, but not much else."

"I talk lightly, but I promise you, service in combat is anything but light," Jones said. "It is just my way of dealing with it. It rained in the summer—monsoons—hot and muggy. It rained in the winter, cold wet and miserable. But we were young, tough and bulletproof. We found out really quick that yes, we were young, but not as tough as we thought we were, and damn sure not bulletproof."

He said he was a different person when he returned to the U.S in January 1968. "It was a different world. There were no open arms and flags waving as I walked down the street. On the contrary, if it was found out that I had just returned from Vietnam, the greetings and salutations were usually less than friendly. It was tough wearing the uniform I was so very proud of. I was a stranger in my own town."

After he figured out that if he even wanted to be part of society again, he had to become an active and contributing participant in that society. "We here in Grant County have been blessed over the years with help in healing and coming to grips with our demons and ghosts. We who have served in combat all have someone who didn't come home with us. I left two very close friends there. Gibby Grubb was one."

Jones said he almost didn't make it back himself. He fell overboard three miles off shore attempting to man a twin-50 mount in the middle of the night while supporting a Marine group ashore. "Nobody saw me fall. I literally made my peace. By the grace of God and six very brave men who risked their lives and exposed their position to find me, I stand before you today. Out of 3500 in our squadron over the eight years, 55 are still on patrol. That's what Memorial Day means to me personally."

"Today we stand in humble honor and gratefulness for that sacrifice," Jones said. "Do not be sad they are gone; be proud for their service and sacrifice. Continue to honor those who were left behind. If asked, I would do it again in a heartbeat. My God, my family, my country.

"For all my fellow veterans here today, brothers and sisters, I honor you and welcome home," Jones concluded. "Thank you. God bless each and every one of you, and God bless America."

Lopez read the names of the 64 veterans who were interred at Fort Bayard National Cemetery since last year's Memorial Day.

The Hi Lo Silvers sang "God Bless America," and asked those attending to join in on the last chorus.

Lopez gave the benediction. Jim Dines of American Legion Post 18 played "Amazing Grace" on bagpipes. Three members of the Gaffney-Oglesby Detachment 1328 fired a volley. Badillo played "Taps," followed by an echo of "Taps" by Detachment 1328 member Don Spann.

The Vietnam Veterans of America Color Guard retired the colors.