The Columbia American Legion Post 581 Honor Guard marched in unison while posting the colors during a Veterans Day ceremony last Wednesday. The men put one foot in front of the other, only looking forward. However, the ceremony itself focused on honoring those who served in the past.

The Columbia ceremony recognized veterans of the Vietnam War, with featured speaker Paul Braun talking about his experiences in combat during that deadly conflict.

Columbia Mayor Kevin Hutchinson offered opening remarks.

“I think the veterans speak for themselves in Columbia,” Hutchinson said. “From a young age, we were all taught service and as we got older, we served our communities and went on to serve our nations. What is wonderful to see in Columbia is all the veterans come back home and continue to serve their community through the fire department, police department and other organizations.”

“America the Beautiful” was played as an interlude before Braun took to the podium.

Braun, a native of Hecker, served as a combat medic in Vietnam. During his service from November 1969 to November 1970, he received many honors including the Purple Heart, Vietnam Service Medal and United States Defense Medal.

Braun spoke about his experiences in the war and misconceptions of the war.

“The national debate we have had for many decades pertaining to the Vietnam War has cast a shadow over the careers and courage of many young men and women,” Braun said. “This should change, and maybe I will change some of the impressions you have concerning the soldiers and the war.”

It has been 50 years since combat troops entered Vietnam, and Braun said it is now the time to honor all those who served there. He added that the soldiers didn’t choose the enemy; it was the elected officials who did.

“The soldiers did what was expected of them, and for the most part, did it very well,” Braun said. “It was our elected officials that failed the people of South Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia. It was the elected officials that prevented good military tactics. However, it was the soldier who received an abundance of criticisms. Over the past 45 years, I and other Vietnam veterans have become frustrated with the perception people have with Vietnam.”

Braun said veterans from the war are not happy with how they’ve been portrayed in Hollywood or by the TV news. He said most Americans initially supported the war — it was similar to the Korean War — but the media changed public opinion.

Braun spoke about the climate of Vietnam. It is a tropical country with mountainous terrain, thick jungles and marshes filled with snakes and leeches. The marshes became swamps during the monsoon season. He said it would rain nearly every day — sometimes hard enough to cancel military operations.

During the dry season, temperatures were over 100 degrees Fahrenheit daily.

“We often could not recognize the enemy,” Braun said. “There was the regular North Vietnamese Army and there was also the Viet Cong, who lived in South Vietnam and often dressed as civilians. There were no established front lines — the enemy could be behind you as well as in front of you. They sometimes lived in tunnels and some of those tunnels were extensive. We would overpower the enemy, even when we were outnumbered. They would run and we would back off and months later, we would fight in the same spot. This may have been the first war where territory was not the objective.”

Braun talked extensively about his time in Vietnam. He was thanked for his time and given a standing ovation after the speech.

Post 581 Past-Commander Bill Wolf followed Braun’s moving speech by honoring the 60-year and 70-year members of the post.

Arthur Rueck was the only 60-year honoree. Harold Harres and Charles Lepp were two of four 70-year members honored, but the only two in attendance. Chester Schmidt and Herbert Schueler were not present.

Before the ceremony concluded, the “Armed Forces Salute” played over the speakers. All military members in the audience were recognized for their service to this country.

Post 581 Commander James Vogt gave closing remarks, thanking everyone for attending.

The Post 581 Honor Guard took their positions again. Instead of posting the colors, this time they retired them. The men marched forward in unison with flags in hand, not looking back, but looking forward.
The attendees began to rise, sending them off with a standing ovation.