Veterans Day: Remembering the fallen

Living History Day at Milwaukie High

By Ellen Spitaleri

The Clackamas Review, Nov 10, 2009

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Plenty of Vietnam vets were on hand, and Tom Birdsong pointed to his medals and ribbons, noting that “I can’t wear any of this [except] in a place like this.”

Birdsong was stationed in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970 and remembered meeting a 16-year-old boy who was in the Vietnamese Army.

“Everybody has bad stories,” Birdsong said, “But John taught me more about life – it was an honor” to know him.

When he was ready to leave the country, Birdsong told John he would write, but the young man broke out in tears and told Birdsong he didn’t have an address.

Birdsong, who lives in Salem, is now the outpost leader for Point Man, an international ministry for veterans.

Surveying the crowded commons area at Milwaukie High School, Birdsong said, “This day has given us a place to stand together in pride – it is overwhelming.”

Another Vietnam vet, Mark Sigrist, braved the windy conditions outside the school, so he could show off his lovingly restored 1943 Dodge command car, just like the one his father’s unit had in World War II.

Sigrist, who was stationed at Long Binh from 1969 to 1970, said that for him, Living History Day was “a respect thing” and a chance to “pass on a little bit of understanding” about the past.

'Emotional' for students

Three young men, all sophomores at MHS, examined the command cars and were especially taken with an Amphibian ¼-ton truck, model GPA nicknamed “Seep.”

“It reminds me of ‘Saving Private Ryan’ and other World War II movies,” Max Lydon said.

All three had attended the Goldstar Assembly, a silent gathering to honor MHS alumni and staff who were killed in action in any war.

“It was really emotional,” Chris Konrad noted, adding that his father was in the military.

Max added that the young men who died were “exactly like us and they gave their lives.”

Jared Rodriguez said seeing all the candles representing the dead made him realize that “some people take advantage of our rights – some people actually died” defending those rights.

“We never give vets the respect they deserve,” Max said.

Jared said, Today “is a day for them,” and Chris added, “And it is a day for us, too.”

Fast Facts

Living History Day at Milwaukie High School is an annual event staged by Remembering America’s Heroes, an organization founded by local resident Ken Buckles.

For more information, visit the Web site http://www.rahusa.us/ or call 503-659-5157.

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