'Welcome Home, Brothers'—County Unveils Vietnam Veterans Memorial

Some shuffled slowly up to the reflective granite and quietly took in the sight. Others had broad smiles as they gazed at the granite. A few wiped away tears.

No matter how dozens of men and women approached the new Vietnam veterans memorial in Camden County, all said they did so with a common thought in mind: This is for those who never came home.

South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association on Friday unveiled its newest memorial to the 58,000 American troops killed in the war, plus the hundreds of thousands more who did make it back. The memorial sits at the head of the circular driveway in the Camden County Veterans Cemetery off Kaighn Avenue in Camden. 

The memorial is the latest of three that the association helped build. The other two are in Atlantic and Gloucester counties and more are planned.

“This is for the fallen,” said Chuck Byers, past president of the South Jersey Vietnam Veterans Association. “We honor them and their sacrifice. But it’s also for the living. Our group’s mission is to support each other, and this is a way to honor the legacy of those who lost their lives and the service of all.”

That message is driven home with the simple inscription on top of the memorial: “All gave some, some gave all.” On the front, a map of Vietnam takes prominence with a marker for prisoners of war and those missing in action. Along the bottom, six seals honor the branches of the military: Army, Navy, Marines, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines.

The ravages of a war that ended nearly 40 years ago were evident Friday in the dozens of veterans that showed up for the memorial unveiling. Some carry visible war wounds. Others aren’t as easy to see at first glance.

“It stays with you, it truly does,” said Dale Feckley, of Franklinville. He served in the Navy in Vietnam in 1968-69, sweeping muddy rivers for mines.

Facing down death daily, Feckley said he feels for the newest crop of veterans returning from war.

“These young men and women need our support, too. They have the same problems our generation had. We’ll be there to welcome them home, no matter what.”

Several county officials, plus state Sen. James Beach (D-6) and Jack Conners, director of Camden County's Office of Veterans Affairs, attended the unveiling. The marker is just one step in improving the county's veterans cemetery, they promised.

"What you see now, we're very proud of. But we're not done," promised Freeholder Edward McDonnell. Plans include new sodding and flowers in the now mostly barren cemetery. "By the time we come back for Memorial Day, this will be a place that you deserve."

The memorial unveiling came on Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.

“Turn to each other and say hi. Shake the hand of the man next to you,” said Tony Halas, the veterans association president. “Welcome each other home. You’re here and we’re glad. Welcome home, brothers.”