By Charley Najacht
American Legion Riders Chapter 71 from Hot Springs rode in on their motorcycles with the colors flying last Thursday morning to the 1881 Courthouse Museum in Custer. They then helped present and post the colors,along with American Legion and VFW members in Custer, for the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Memorial exhibit dedication ceremonies.
In her dedication remarks, Catherine Rosane,Harney Peak Chapter,National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), said, “Vietnam was the first war to be brought into homes of American families.” She described the war scenes and said as the casualties increased the soldiers were blamed. “We remember the selfless service and courage in battle and remember those who sacrificed,” she said.
Will Huffman, Western S.D. field officer for the Department of Veterans Affairs, said of the more than 28,000 state veterans who fought in the war, 207 didn’t make it back. “I can’t imagine what it was like for families of those who lost a loved one. One person made a sacrifice that will live on for generations,” Huffman said. “No group of Americans ever had to come back to anger and hostility in our country. The lesson learned is you can disagree with the war, but never disrespect the soldiers who fought in a war that was uniquely challenging,”
Huffman said. “This newer generation of veterans now has Vietnam veterans to fight for them,” he said.
Christine Bestgen, Nisland, president of S.D. Gold Star Mothers, told the wrenching story of losing a son in Afghanistan and her mission to see that every Gold Star mother in South Dakota receives an Honor and Remembrance flag. To accomplish this task, she is enlisting the assistance of the state’s American Legion and VFW organizations.
Her son, Spec. Dennis G. Jensen, a member of the S.D. Army National Guard’s 200th Engineer Co. at Mobridge and Pierre, was killed in a workplace accident in Helmand Province on Aug. 16, 2011. Bestgen said the day two uniformed officers showed up in her driveway and said her son was dead absolutely changed her life. “God’s been preparing me my whole life for this, I told the chaplain,” she said. “I had to set the tone for my family.”
A list of the 207 names,hometowns and dates of death in Vietnam was read by a number of DAR members. Included were three Army members from Custer. 1st Lt. James P. Wright, an aviator, died June 26, 1964. PFC Howard E. Drain, an infantryman, died March 17, 1972. Spec. 5 Steven A. Trant, a transportation company member, died July 21, 1972.
(Photo and article used with permission of Custer County Chronicle)
