Towns and cities across Louisiana will join other states to honor and celebrate November as Veterans Month. It was first declared Military Family Month in 1996; since then, November has been a time to acknowledge the sacrifices military families make and have made.
The Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs will celebrate Veterans Day by participating in and supporting events across the state honoring Louisiana’s veterans. Celebrations have kicked off as early as November 1, but no matter what date is chosen to honor veterans, they still deserve the recognition.
There was a Memorial Walk with flowers and flags to the monuments or tombstones of 21 veterans on Monday, Nov. 11, sponsored by the Grambling Pi Gama Mu honor society. Kids for the Environment was initiated in memory of Larry Holston, a veteran and retired professor of GSU. Mr. Holston worked with children of the Black Empowerment Apprenticeship Program (BEAP).
The approximately 39 members of the Grambling American Legion Order 593 planned to acknowledge Veteran day in various ways. Some reflected on their experience and the affect on their lives.
William Rutledge spent a year and a half at Grambling College before joining the Army. His 27 years of military duty included being stationed in Oklahoma, Korea, Louisiana, Texas, Turkey, Virginia, France Vietnam, Iran and Washington, D.C. He retired in April of 1975 at the rank of Segreant First Class (SFC E-7).
Ervin McIntyre, born in Hampton, Va., was an outstanding basketball player at Phoenix High where he first developed leadership skills, then volunteered to serve in the Navy in 1971. He served tours in Charleston, S.C, Yokosuka, Japan; Naples, Italy, and Hampton, Va.
McIntyre retired after 24 years as a Chief Postal Clerk and moved to Grambling. He has been a member of the American Legion for over 25 years and is currently the finance officer.
Bobby Rabon refused to be drafted, so when Uncle Sam called, he chose to volunteer to have a minimal choice of specialties. Consequently, Rabon was investigated by the FBI and selected for top Secret Service in the Army Security Agency (ASA) branch of the military.
He was chosen as an outstanding soldier in the battalion at Fort Monmouth, Missouri. He was also an expert rifleman.
Lyons said soldiers, in the Vietnam War faced numerous challenges, both on and off the battlefield. He listed some key difficulties that was encountered: “Harsh Environmental Conditions: The dense jungles, extreme heat, and monsoon rains made the terrain difficult to navigate and live in. These conditions also contributed to diseases like malaria and trench foot. Guerrilla Warfare: The Viet Cong used guerrilla tactics, including ambushes, booby traps, and tunnels, which made it hard for U.S. soldiers to engage in traditional combat. This type of warfare was psychologically taxing and unpredictable. Psychological Stress: The constant threat of ambushes and the difficulty in distinguishing between friend and foe led to high levels of stress and anxiety. Many of us soldiers experienced PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) as a result.
Moral and Ethical Dilemmas: Soldiers often faced complex moral situations, such as distinguishing between combatants and civilians, which could lead to difficult decisions and actions that weighed heavily on our consciences. Political and Public Opinion: The war was highly controversial back home in the United States. We often felt unsupported or even vilified by the public, which affected our morale and mental health. Physical Injuries: The war saw a high number of casualties and injuries, with many of our soldiers suffering from severe wounds that required long-term medical care. These challenges made the Vietnam War a particularly difficult and traumatic experience for many of us who served. Especially, if you were drafted and did not want to leave your family and life behind.”
Theron J. Dunn, retired as an E8 Senior Master Sergeant after 26 years in the Air Force. “I was drafted to the Army in January of 1967, once drafted, you can choose any branch of the service, so I choose the Air Force and I was tired of plowing the mule,” he said. He also served in the Vietnam War.
The experience was eye opening, and it was better than working for the local economy. “I was able to travel, see the world and I received three degrees,” said Dunn. He said he learned of things that he didn’t know and received truths about things he had been lied about all his life. Dunn said he is a lifetime member of the American Legion 593.
Carl McCarter was drafted into the Army in 1970 and received basic training at Fort Polk. He was part of the 87 Air Born Division. McCarter said he didn’t go overseas but the unit was on a 24-hour alert to go anywhere needed. He was stationed at Fort Braggs, N.C. for 18 months.”It was a great experience, I grew from meeting and interacting with a great deal of people,” McCarter said. He returned to school at Grambling State University, majoring in business management, completing his degree in 1978. McCarter served as a Ruston fire fighter for 29 years and served as Grambling’s fire chief from 2007-2009.
Gregory Ludley said, “Ironically, I joined the US Army because I was looking for a job. I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in drafting. The job market for drafting in the Lincoln Parish area was slim and none. I worked odd constructions for a while until my parents decided I should join the service. Personally, I was just looking for a better job opportunity after college,” explained Ludley.
Fortunately, my drafting skills paid off and I was placed in a Headquarters Battery plotting targets on a map. Cannon Fire Direction Specialist (13E) was my job description.
“As I fast-forward the tape to the present, I am grateful for the experience because it allowed me to work for the Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs. It was here where I learned how to help so many Black veterans who had experienced some of the hardships I had experienced. Ultimately gaining the skills to help veterans get their much-deserved benefits, including myself. All I can say, GOD had a bigger and better plan for my life,” Ludley explained.
Retired in 2016, Lieutentant Colonel Gordan D. Ford is now the director of Lincoln Preparatory School in Grambling. He served 25 years in the United States Air Force and Air Force Reserve. Ford was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant through Air Force ROTC upon receiving his bachelor’s degree from Grambling State University in 1991. He earned his basic pilot wings in 1993 and served in active duty from 1992 to 2000 before joining the Air Force Reserve.
He has more than 3,600 flying hours in the B-54 Stratofortress, C-5 Galaxy, C-130 Hercules, the WC-130 Hurricane Hunter and several other military and civilian aircraft.
In addition to the brave men who have served our country, women comprise 15 percent of the active-duty military and 18 percent of the Guard and Reserve. With the steady increase of women wearing the nation’s uniform and their increased role in military operations, it has never been more important that women veterans are [acknowledged] and ensured that the Veteran’s Administration is ready and able to care for them when they transition back to civilian life as well.