Hometown Heroes Honored at Luncheon in Dublin

The Rotary Club of Dublin, in cooperation with the City of Dublin, hosted the Hometown Heroes Veteran’s Day Luncheon to celebrate local veterans, and honor and recognize all of the courageous men and women in the United States military both past and present.

Guests were welcomed by Vice Mayor Melissa Hernandez who thanked both veterans and military personnel for their service to the country.

Bill Green, past president of Vietnam Veterans of Diablo Valley was the guest speaker and delivered a moving speech echoing the experiences that military personnel endured during the war.

Despite initially being declined when he wanted to serve in the military due to being asthmatic Bill Green was drafted and still has the original letter that was sent to him. He was awarded two purple hearts and two bronze stars during his time of service. His service in Vietnam began in 1969 and he was discharged in 2002. He still volunteers at the Concord Veterans Center for Returning Troops.

He remarked that 75 % of the soldiers who served in Vietnam were volunteers. He suggested that if ever you meet a veteran of the war in Vietnam just say two words to them "Welcome Home."

Bill gave vivid descriptions of being a point man in the Vietnam jungles which included reading maps to get the troops unit safely from one area to another while avoiding booby traps and ambushes and even tigers. Although it is 51 years later he still clearly recalls personal details of the 10 men who served in his squad who he says are 'closer than brothers'. Many in the squad were wounded and some became amputees due to the severity of their injuries. The fear of losing men in the unit led to a certain level of emotional distancing from the NFGs (new personnel) who had been sent in to replace others but the bond of fighting side by side to protect each other's lives was irreplaceable.

Bill relayed information about the inscriptions on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.

"The names on the Wall are arranged in the order they lost their lives. The first casualty was Richard B. Fitzgibbon, of North Weymouth, Massachusetts killed on June 8th, 1956. His name is listed on the Wall with that of his son, Marine Corps Lance Corporal Richard B. Fitzgibbon III, who was killed on September 7th, 1965.

There are three sets of fathers and sons listed on the Wall. The number of Americans who gave their lives age twenty-two and younger totaled 39,996, with 8,283 being just 19 years old. The largest age group of 33,103 were only 18 years old and 12 soldiers on the Wall were 17 years of age. It is hard to believe but 5 soldiers were only 16 years old and the youngest, PFC Dan Bullock, was 15 years young." [Source for statistics: VietnamWarFacts]

Thirty-one sets of brother’s names are on the Wall and there are 31 sets of parents who lost two sons.

When a Vietnam Veteran looks at the Wall they do not see just names but families. They recall the faces of those lost and the pain they endured.

“There are no noble wars, just noble warriors.”

Outstanding contributions made by Parks RFTA (Reserve Forces Training Area) soldiers were recognized as as part of the annual Veterans Day celebration. Command Sergeant Major Jason B. Johnson introduced the military personnel and outlined their contributions to the local community.

In an announcement that came as a surprise to her Lt. Colonel, Jennifer Nolan, the outgoing garrison commander at Camp Parks was thanked by Command Sergeant Major Jason B. Johnson. LC Nolan remarked that she has the envy of her peers because of the wonderful community support received by Camp Parks.

A catered lunch was provided as well as musical entertainment by the Dublin High School Advanced Chamber Choir under the direction of Ms. Claire Yackley.

Dignitaries at the event included Alameda County District 1 Supervisor Scott Haggerty, Assemblymember Rebecca Bauer-Khan, Phil Tucker (Congressman Eric Swalwell's Office) and Jennifer Russo (Senator Glazier's Office).

In addition to Vice Mayor Melissa Hernandez, City of Dublin Councilmembers were also in attendance including Mayor David Haubert, Councilmember Jean Josey and Councilmember Shawn Kumagai. Representatives from the Dublin Unified School District (DUSD) included Dr Dave Marken (DUSD Superintendent) and Megan Rouse (DUSD Board of Trustees).

The Rotary Club also awarded three checks of $500 each to the Blue Star Moms, Chapter 101 for their care package program, to the Color Guard for their Buddy Poppy Program and to Dublin High School Advanced Chamber Choir.

Veterans are able to attend the annual event free of charge and simply need to register.

To all Veterans "Thank you for your service".