RANCHO MURIETA, CA (MPG) - The Rancho Murieta Post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) hosted a local National Vietnam War Veterans Day observance at the community gazebo on March 29.

Congress designated the day in 2017 to honor Vietnam veterans and their families, offering a moment of national gratitude for their service and sacrifice.

VFW Post Senior Commander Ted Ryon emceed the brief but solemn program, which included a history of the military working dog program in Vietnam, a remembrance of individual service members killed in the war, and recognition of four post members who died in the past year. The ceremony also featured two patriotic bugle performances, a flag presentation, prayers, and moments of reflection.

The most emotional moment came from Senior Vice Commander Bill McCarver. 

McCarver began his presentation by asking the Vietnam veterans in the audience to raise their hands, which they did. “I salute you and welcome you home,” he said. “I’d also like to honor the 58,318 brothers and sisters who did not make it home and are listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.”

With tears in his eyes, McCarver then paid tribute to other veterans of the war that didn’t make it home. He served as a Sentry dog handler with the 35th Security Police Squadron at Phan Rang Air Base in 1967 and 1968 and was present during the Tet Offensive.

McCarver explained that the Sentry Dog Teams served as the first line of defense around the base to prevent ground attacks by the Viet Cong. “We had 26 miles of perimeter and 69 dog teams that worked from dusk till dawn,” he said. “Our motto was ‘We walk alone,’ and our dogs were known as the ‘Angels of the Night.’“

McCarver said approximately 5,000 dogs were deployed to Vietnam, with 10,000 handlers assigned to them. During the war, 239 handlers and 232 canines were killed in action, including three teams at his base.

He added that it has been reported that the canine teams saved more than 10,000 lives during the war. “That’s in addition to saving their own handlers, and I can attest to that,” McCarver said.

At the war’s end, about 200 military canines were reassigned to bases outside the United States. “The remaining 4,800 were euthanized and never left Vietnam,” McCarver said.

He added that the fate of those dogs continues to haunt their former handlers. “I would like to honor my sentry dog, Duke, Tattoo Number 0828, who ensured that I was able to return home,” he said. “I miss you, buddy. Thanks for taking care of me.”

Another heartfelt remembrance came from VFW member Dan Pennington. He grew up in a sparsely populated county in the Appalachian Mountains, where coal mining was the way of life. One by one, he paid tribute to the nine young men he grew up with who died in the war.

Later in the program, Ryon recognized four members of the post who had died in the past year: Jerome Hoberg, Dan Klaff, Ronald Squire, and Walter Dunajski.

Reflecting on the formation of the Rancho Murieta post two and a half years ago, Ryon said it never would have happened without the help of Dr. Richard Weiss, a Rancho Murieta resident who introduced him to the state VFW commander and adjutant.

Ryon thanked VFW Post member Jay Soloman for organizing the event and the VFW Auxiliary for providing refreshments. 

He also acknowledged the Blue Star Memorial By-Way in front of the gazebo. Spearheaded by Debbie Kolmodin and Nancy Compton, the River Valley Garden Club erected the memorial to honor the Armed Forces of America. 

In another event happenings, Scout Troop 633 presented the colors, with Scout Master Jason Dodson and Scouts Alexander Hoberg, Zachary Holmes, and Tristan Lace participating.

Audience member Marilyn Haugen also commended the care the Veterans Administration provided to her husband, Capt. David Haugen, a flight surgeon who was exposed to Agent Orange in the war. 

VFW Chaplain Jerry Robison offered brief prayers at the beginning and end of the ceremony, assuring that they would never forget the fallen heroes.

Tai Wieler, a jazz education major at Sacramento State, played his bugle to provide patriotic music for the ceremony. He began with the “National Anthem” early in the program and concluded with a solemn rendition of “Taps,” performed from a distance as the final tribute.