To commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the General Carl Spaatz USAAF Museum in Boyertown displayed a special Vietnam War era memorabilia exhibit and a museum admission discount for veterans March 26 and 27.
The exhibit, composed of donated memorabilia and individual items on loan to the museum from local Vietnam veterans, consists of equipment and clothing from that era and is on display in two locations within the museum through April 3.
“This would be what someone would look like leaving the perimeter,” Tom Gosse, director of marketing for the museum, said as he described a Vietnam field uniform. “Many times in Vietnam, you didn’t bother with the shirt. It’s just too hot, this (uniform) was extremely heavy and extremely hot, but it was a lifesaver.”
Also part of the special exhibit is a re-creation of an M60 Machine Gun, nicknamed The Pig, due to its size.
“You gave this to your best soldier,” said Gosse. “The best, strongest person carried The Pig.”
A highlight of the exhibit includes a Marine Corps “Mule” vehicle with the missing man ceremony field display. A Mule is a four-wheel drive, gasoline-powered truck/tractor vehicle that can carry up to a half-ton off-road. The Missing Man Ceremony Field Display includes a soldier’s rifle and boots, with helmet on top.
One part of the display featured an MCI or Meal, Combat, Individual canned wet combat rations along with photographs and Donald L Conrad of Barto’s order to report notice for his induction into the armed forces on May 26, 1969.
“The equipment tells the story,” said Kristian Steffenhagen, “Oftentimes, if you deconstruct the machinery it will tell you more about the environment that led to its creation. Oftentimes, you get a very complicated history behind the development of a machine … why it is the way it is. And then occasionally, you wind up with standout stuff like these two pieces of ammunition (50-caliber round and 20mm shell) which are so widespread that they are still in use in various places around the world in a variety of roles.”
Steffenhagen explained the difference in technology between a 50 caliber round and 20mm shell.
“Through World War II and into Korea, we were using 50-caliber machine guns. By the time Vietnam rolls around, the M61 Vulcan has come about and that is a 20-millimeter shell which is a significant upgrade in firepower. This 50-caliber round fires anywhere between 750 and 1,000 rounds a minute; the 20-millimeter shell fires 6000 rounds a minute.”
The museum featured a video and period music with songs like “I Fought the Law,” by The Bobby Fuller Four.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is acknowledged on March 29, honoring the more than 2.7 million Americans who served in the war. The date was chosen because after 20 years in Vietnam, the last U.S. combat troops left the Southeast Asian nation on March 29, 1973. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops departed the country.
“As a national military museum, it is fitting that we would participate in honoring all veterans of foreign wars,” said retired Marine Col, Keith Seiwell, CEO and founder of the Spaatz museum. Many local veterans, and descendants of veterans, visit and contribute to the museum. We hear their stories, and many of the pieces on display are donated by them. Much has been written about what it was like for us to ‘return to the world.’ This museum offers a place to thank our veterans,”
The museum is planning to commemorate Vietnam War Veteran’s Day every year. The current Vietnam War era memorabilia exhibit will be on display through April 3.
President Barack Obama proclaimed March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. He called upon Americans to observe the day with programs, ceremonies, and activities that would commemorate the 50 year anniversary of the Vietnam War.
President Donald J. Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 officially recognizing March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and called for U.S. flags to be flown on this day honoring everyone who served in the military (whether they were in Vietnam or not).
National Vietnam War Veterans Day also includes the service of the armed forces and support organizations during the war; the wartime contributions at home by American citizens; the advancements in technology, science, and medicine; and the contributions made by U.S. allies.
Source: Berkshire mont
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