Editor:
This letter is in response to the gentleman’s letter that Confederate Military Veterans should not be mentioned during Memorial Day honors.
Should military veterans that died in the unpopular Vietnam war not be mentioned? Should the military veterans that died fighting Native American Indians not be mentioned?
I served 28 years in the US Navy. I served with some outstanding Black, White, Hispanic and Asian men and women. I served two tours of recruiting duty, first in Wilmington, then the second tour in Kinston, Goldsboro and, finally, Fayetteville as the Chief Recruiter in Charge, as an E8 Senior Chief. The Fayetteville area included Sampson, Cumberland, Bladen, Hoke and Harnett counties. We recruited without regard of race or sex. We recruited fine young people that only wanted to be part of something great.
What I really want to say is that young men and women join the military for so many different reasons: Strife at home, trouble with the law, etc. But most join because their father, mother, brother, sister, uncle or friend was in the military or had been in the military. They listen to their experiences and want to be a part of them. I think that is the way it has always been when recruiting young people, no matter the conflict.
I retired as a Master Chief E9 with service in Vietnam on the USS Tutuila ARG4, Sub Basa Pearl Harbor, recruiting duty Wilmington. USS Piedmont Ad19, Recruiting in Eastern North Carolina, USS Shenandoah AD44, with The Navy Seals and Explosive Ordnance Divers at Indian Head MD., then retirement. I served with great men and women.
All that finished their enlistment with honor should be mentioned on Memorial Day.
Terry Williams
Ingold