PHILADELPHIA (KYW Newsradio) — Vietnam veterans and their families gathered at the memorial on Spruce Street Monday to remember their fallen comrades and their own service.
This year’s celebration was the end of an era of sorts.
Terry Williamson, who’s led Philadelphia’s Vietnam Veterans Memorial for 25 years, stepped down as president and gave a final address, invoking the memories that war sears in a veteran’s brain.
“The recollections are at once painful and bittersweet,” he said. “They speak of brotherly love in a way that few others can ever know.”
Dr. Darryll Johnson served in the Air Force for six years and then in the active reserves, but he comes every year to the memorial to honor the 48 men from his alma mater, Thomas Edison High School, who died in Vietnam. This year, he’s a little disheartened as he thinks of their sacrifice.
“You have high-level officials trying to erase all the contributions of minority and women soldiers and airmen, all their achievements. I think that is deplorable,” he said.
Johnson is also the son of a veteran who served in the segregated army and had limited opportunities after World War II, so he’s perplexed by President Donald Trump’s position that diversity and equity initiatives are unnecessary.
“I’m thankful for those who laid the foundation before me, and they can’t be forgotten, they can’t be ignored, they can’t be brushed away just because someone in power thinks they should,” he said.
Andre Mears says he fought two wars in the 60s — leaving the jungles of Vietnam for the battleground of the Civil Rights Movement, and he won’t let either be forgotten.
“For those that gave their lives for the freedom of many others, we’re still fighting. I don’t have any more to say.”
It’s been 50 years since the Fall of Saigon, and the ranks of the veterans are thinning, but their children and grandchildren are joining the commemoration.
“My father was a Vietnam veteran, and my father-in-law’s brother was killed in action, so his name is up on the wall, so our family comes every year,” said Kelly Grugan, who came with her two sons.
“I hope that they’ll come long after I’m gone and that they’ll bring their kids and appreciate how special our veterans are.”