Letters Nov. 12

Veteran’s return

Sitting at home, remembering friends lost, and so many more from Vietnam. I was fortunate, not only to survive a year “in country” but to have grown up in Colfax, which like all Whitman County communities, really knows what patriotism is. As a child I watched vets march up Main Street with awe and admiration. These WWII and Korean vets instilled pride in those of us watching.

Ten years later I “became” one of those vets and came home in time to march in the 1966 Memorial Day parade. I was very lucky to be welcomed home, as society later turned their backs on Vietnam veterans. Next week will mark 50 years that my squadron, and many others, flew air support for the Army’s 1st Air Calvary Division in the Ia Drang valley. Panel 3E of “The Wall” lists 234 names of those soldiers lost Nov. 14 through Nov. 17. I will never forget them, nor forget the love my home town showed me on my return.

Rich Skeate, Crestline, Calif.

Sgt. USMC

VMFA-542, Danang, Vietnam July 1965 - April 1966