MEMORIALS HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN VETERANS AND GOLD STAR FAMILIES A FINAL SALUTE REMEMBERING MOMS IN THE TROOPS WHO DIED OVERSEAS WAR ZONE IN 2017 Mothers share stories of leaving kids at home during deployments VIETNAM BATTLE OF DAI DO AND MEDCAP MISSIONS Such sacrifi ce through valor made, A debt too deep to be repaid, From their courage freedom born, To remember them the poppy worn. MEMORIAL DAY 2018 ©2018 USAA. 240183-0418 MEMORIALS HONORING NATIVE AMERICAN TROOPS AND GOLD STAR PARENTS A FINAL SALUTE REMEMBERING MOMS IN THE TROOPS WHO DIED OVERSEAS WAR ZONE IN 2017 Mothers share stories of leaving kids at home during deployments VIETNAM BATTLE OF DAI DO AND MEDCAP MISSIONS MAY 2018 Vol. 105 No. 8 COVER PHOTO: Shera Terry and her BATTLE OF DAI DO son, Ryan, are glad to be back together 30 Outnumbered nearly 10-to-1, Marines defending their combat base after Shera’s deployment to Qatar in 2016. at Dong Ha were determined to halt the enemy during its “Mini Tet” The two were separated for eight months, offensive in May 1968. The courage and valor displayed at Dai Do — two during which time Ryan attended preschool, Medals of Honor were earned there — would go down in Corps lore. learned to read from his older sister and BY TIM DYHOUSE “never once” cried — until he saw his mother at the airport when she returned. Theirs is one of six stories of sacrifice endured by military moms while they served overseas. BABY SHOWERS FOR (Photo by Shelly Gammieri) FEMALE VETS 24 ON THE COVER A Chicago-area VFW Auxiliary has a 18 Moms in the War Zone unique method of supporting women 26 Medcap Missions using local VA facilities. Auxiliary 36 Native American Veterans members host annual baby showers and 38 Gold Star Families disburse needed child-care items like 42 A Final Salute diaper bags and playpens. BY JANIE DYHOUSE IN THIS ISSUE MEDICS IN THE BOONIES 44 Help a Hero Recipient In an attempt to win the hearts and IN EVERY ISSUE minds of rural South Vietnamese 2 Command Post civilians during the Vietnam War, U.S. 7 Mail Call military doctors, medics and corpsmen 8 Now Hear This concentrated on the villagers’ bodies. Two 10 Issues Up Front programs that brought health care to the 14 Washington Wire people had uneven results, but not for lack 46 Better Health of effort. BY JEROME GREER CHANDLER 26 48 Member Corner 50 Member Benefits POPPIES FORGED IN FIRE 52 VFW in Action 56 A project in Washington state benefitting Reunions and Claims 60 a VFW Post in Denver recalls and honors Vets in Focus the service of Doughboys in the Great War. The young vets involved in creating the works of art say it is a “fitting” way to BY KARI WILLIAMS remember them. 40 CHECK OUT OUR DIGITAL VERSION AT WWW.VFWMAGAZINE.ORG NEED HELP? VETERANS CRISIS LINE: 1-800-273-8255 MAY 2018 • WWW.VFW.ORG • 1 COMMAND POST FROM THE CHIEF Observing Memorial Day Official publication of the VETERANS OF FOREIGN WARS is a Civic Obligation OF THE UNITED STATES STAFF ne of VFW’s most hallowed days occurs this DIRECTOR OF COMMUNICATIONS, PUBLICATIONS & PUBLIC AFFAIRS month. Memorial Day — May 28 — is sacred for all Joe Davis war veterans, and it should be for all Americans. EDITOR-IN-CHIEF This is the day we pause to remember those in Tim Dyhouse O SENIOR EDITOR uniform who sacrificed their lives in defense of the nation. Janie Dyhouse But that sacrifice is meaningless without remembrance. By ASSOCIATE EDITOR honoring the nation’s war dead, we preserve their memory Kari Williams and, thus, their service and sacrifice. It should be a civic obli- SENIOR WRITER gation for all citizens. Dave Spiva ART DIRECTOR This is where our Posts can help their communities prop- Lauren Goldman COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF erly recognize the men and women — and their families — ADMINISTRATIVE ASSISTANT Keith E. Harman who have made the ultimate sacrifice to keep our citizens Tina Clark safe and secure. Here are a few ways to do it: ADVERTISING REPRESENTATIVE Attend commemorative ceremonies: Be sure to wear GLM Communications, Inc. your VFW hat and VFW-themed apparel. Be respectful and Jackie Tobin, Vice President, Digital/Print Media 500 1st Street, Hoboken, NJ 07030 serve as an example to other attendees. (212) 929-1300 FAX 212-929-9574 Place flags at gravesites: This is a perfect opportunity for Email: [email protected] your Post members to share a patriotic activity with groups EDITORIAL OFFICE Address all communications for publication to: such as the Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts. The Editor, VFW Magazine March in parades: If your town or city does not stage such 406 W. 34th St., Suite 523, Kansas City, MO 64111 (816) 756-3390; www.vfw.org; [email protected] an activity, encourage your Post to organize one. Not only VFW magazine is protected through trademark reg istra- can you build productive relationships with community lead- tion in the United States and in the foreign countries where VFW magazine circulates. VFW magazine (ISSN 0161-8598) ers, you will also illustrate to your fellow citizens about the is published 10 times a year by Veterans of Foreign Wars, 406 day’s importance. West 34th Street, Kansas City, MO 64111. Non-profit standard class postage paid at Oklahoma City, Okla., and additional Host a patriotic program: This is a chance to invite mailing offices. the public to your Post. As part of the event, you can Publications Agreement No. 1476947 deliver a prepared speech that you can obtain from VFW Available on recording for the blind and those with physical National Headquarters. Simply log in to vfw.org and handicaps that preclude reading material. Contact: [email protected]. click on the “Patriotic Holiday Speeches” link under the SUBMISSIONS Member Resources heading on the My VFW page. VFW’s Unsolicited manu scripts and pho to graphs must be ac com pa- Communications Department usually has updated speeches nied by return postage and no re spon si bil i ty is assumed for safe han dling. Poetry submissions not accepted. VFW mag a zine is available two weeks prior to the holiday. available in microfilm from NA Publishing, Inc., P.O. Box 998, Ann Arbor, MI 48106-0998. Payment of membership dues Distribute Buddy Poppies: VFW’s official flower, the includes $1.98 for a year’s subscription to VFW magazine. Buddy Poppy, is a hallmark of Memorial Day. For nearly CHANGE OF ADDRESS/DECEASED MEMBER 100 years, VFW members have handed out these blood- [email protected] 1-833-839-8387 Forward address changes to: red flowers to their fellow citizens as a reminder of the Member Service Center, VFW, sacrifices paid by uniformed Americans who have died in 406 W. 34th St., Kansas City, MO 64111. Be sure to furnish your old ad dress, also your Post number, defense of the nation. Encourage your younger members to when requesting change to new address. To ensure Need a Speech continue this tradition. accuracy, please clip and enclose your present address as printed on a recent copy of VFW magazine. for Your Post’s These are a few examples of activities Post leaders can NON-MEMBER SUBSCRIPTIONS Memorial Day organize to observe Memorial Day. And it’s important that U.S. and its possessions, $15 per year, $1.50 per copy. Program? Posts take the lead and represent VFW proudly in their For subscription in other countries, $20 per year. Make checks payable to VFW Magazine and send to: Simply log in to communities. Non-veterans expect us to be the experts. Member Service Center, 406 W. 34th St., KC, MO 64111. vfw.org and click We should set the example. We are a group of veterans on the “Patriotic who have served in war zones. We know what it is like to VFW OBJECTIVES To ensure national security Holiday Speeches” lose friends on faraway battlefields. We know intimately the through maximum military strength. link under sacrifice their families must endure for the rest of their lives To speed the rehabilitation of the nation’s disabled and needy veterans. the Member because of their loved one’s devotion to the cause of freedom. To assist the widows and orphans Resources head- and the depen dents of disabled and needy veterans. We must remember those losses, and, hopefully, provide To promote Americanism through education in pa tri o tism ing on the My others with the opportunity and motivation to share in that and constructive service to the communities in which we live. VFW page. remembrance. Your Post should be the catalyst. Copyright 2018 by the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States Do your part this Memorial Day. 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