They also serve

 

The missing action chair reserved for those who fate remains unknown

As a nation we pause on Memorial Day to honor and remember those who gave their lives in defense of our freedoms.

War is a complicated business. For every front-line hero, there are scores of support people that rarely receive mention but perform dangerous and vital tasks. Then there are the families of the dead, their lives shattered, left to mourn in the shadows and pick up the pieces of their lives. This year marks the 50^th anniversary of the end of the Viet Nam War, which claimed the lives of 58,220 Americans, and negatively impacted countless others.

At the May 26 annual American Legion Post 215 Memorial Day observance Gladys Grubb-Woodfin shared her powerful story as a young woman widowed by the Viet Nam war.

“Fifty-six years ago, today we were a young married couple building a house, planning a future, hoping to have kids, and grow old together,” Gladys began. “In a few days something would happen that would change my young life and shatter that future.”

Gladys Grubb-Woodfin

The something was a letter from Uncle Sam that began “greetings”. Those of a certain age know that phrase as the opening words of a draft notice, informing the recipient that he was required to put his life on pause and report for military service. (The “draft” ended in 1973. America now has an all-volunteer military.)

“Little did I know that the boy I really disliked in grade school would become my husband. He was the one who wrote in my yearbook that he would love me ‘till the day he died.” We were married in July of 1968. In August he got “the letter” and left for Fort Bragg on September 13. I sent daily letters to him. He came home on leave for Christmas before going to Fort Polk, Louisiana, birthplace of Viet Nam combat infantry, for more training. In February he came home and told me he was going to Viet Nam. He left on March 3 and arrived in Viet Nam on March 6. I still remember his last hug before he boarded the plane.”

Gladys returned to a job at the telephone company in Richmond while Steve was deployed. She sent him letters and care packages, including a special one for his 22nd birthday in April that included a box on which she wrote “I love you” in big letters.

“On May 31 two men in uniform came to my door to tell me Steve was missing in action. On June 6 they came back to inform me that he was killed in action. During that week I was so scared and wondered why he was missing and alone. He came home on June 13. I had hoped they were mistaken but I was able to view his body and knew there was no hope. I buried him in my family cemetery on June 15 with full military honors. Then his personal items came home, including the I love you box. After the funeral everyone told me I had to forget because I was young, I had not yet turned 21. I was stubborn and hurting and had no one to talk to. They did not have survivors’ programs then. No one wanted to talk about Viet Nam. Then someone told me that they were glad that one more baby killer wasn’t coming home. I shut down.”

Gladys said that seeing “China Beach,” the 1988 television show about a field hospital in Viet Nam, made her cry, especially scenes in the “checkout” room. Times were changing, she wanted answers to her questions. Gladys found a veteran’s group that took her under their wing and told her that no man is alone. She was made an honorary member and is still in contact with some of the people who helped her heal.

It was through this association that she met a soldier who was with Steve when he died from wounds sustained during a “search and clear” mission. Believing his wound was not serious, Steve joked that he was going for a needed rest and would be back, as he was airlifted to an aid station and evacuation hospital where he succumbed to his wounds at 17:50 hours on May 28, 1969.

Gladys recalled by name eleven boys that had been her schoolmates in Nelson County and also died in Viet Nam. “Every year around Memorial Day I visit their graves to put flags and flowers on them. As long as we live, they will live because we will always remember them.”

Many have given their lives in service to our country, from the first battles of the Revolutionary War 250 years ago and into the future. We must remember them all, most who will be forever young, and honor their sacrifice.

Gladys has and continues to support veterans in a variety of ways, including with the Post 215 Auxiliary