Calling the Last Roll by junge1
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Description
We were invited for the Veterans Day weekend by our friend Jim to attend the dedication of a memorial to honor six fallen soldiers from Willcox who gave their lives in 1968 and 1969 in Vietnam.
The memorial was dedicated at 11:00AM on 11-11-11 (11 November 2011) which was Veterans Day. It began with a two-ship of F-16s fly-over from Davis-Monthan AFB. An Army band from Ft. Huachuca played appropriate music. The mayor spoke and so did family members.
What made this ceremony so poignant is the fact that Willcox is a small ranching community in Southeastern Arizona, where everybody remembered the fallen soldiers as boys and everybody knows each other.
The ranchers and farmhands from the surrounding ranches in the Willcox Playe took time off from their work and came and attended.
In this picture First Sergeant Jim Sehorn, USMC, Ret. who has served three tours of duty in Vietnam himself, called the Last Roll.
The dedication finally brought closure for the families who were presented with flags, and there wasn't a dry eye in the crowd.
I have never been thanked for my service as much as last weekend and I remember when returning from Southeast Asia in the late 60s one was lucky not to get spit on. Times sure have changed.
This picture was taken on 11 November 2011,
Sig...
Comments (20)
emmecielle
Moving tribute, Sig! Excellent capture! :)
jayfar
Super pic of a poignant occasion.
bobrgallegos
Wonderful touching photo Sig!! As a Viet Nam Veteran myself who sevrd in the Marine Corp, I remember being snuck back into this Country at 3am so the San Diego airport would be deserted. To acomplish this, we had a layover for 6 hours in Anchorage Alaska. It is nice to see fellow Veterans finally being thanked for their service. I thank You and welcome home My friend. Bob G.
drifterlee
WOnderful shot!
jocko500
looks very well presented
sandra46
SUPERB SHOT
auntietk
What a wonderful experience that must have been. I can hear it in what you say, and see it in your photograph. Times have changed, and it's good.
bazza
Lovely image and words Sig.. I thought it disgusting the way that vets have been treated in the past, sure hope that changes for the better..
bmac62
Very moving. It does an old soldier good to see this presentation and hear your voice through your written words. Our 'Band of Brothers' is not forgotten.
West_coaster07
Awesome image...
kgb224
Stunning capture my friend and i am glad every ones mood has changed. It is much better to be welcomed and to feel welcome than to have an a not so welcome atmosphere. Glad you could attend my friend. I salute all those soldiers as well as it is not easy to military service as I experienced doing duty for Two years. My first year in South Africa and my second year in South West Africa. Also did duty in the First free elections in 1994.
renecyberdoc
i think in a way it was the worst of feelings when you obeyed your orders given by your superiors and you risked your life for the political ideas of your governement. that these administrations did not deserved your ñoyalty is another page. and that the "ignorant and misled" population in that time spit at the homecoming soldiers is a shame.
farmerC
A beautiful subdued prerecording
jophoto
It must have been a very poignant event. Lovelu tribute.
flavia49
moving tribute and great memento.
sharky_
My prayers and thoughts and a Salute to them. Aloha
dbrv6
Times have changed.
carlx
Excellent tribute!!!
danapommet
I want to thank you Sig for being ther to honor Joe, Armando, Billy, Buddy, Vincent and Alva. Also a wonderful photo to save.
moochagoo
Very sad. Thank you for sharing.