By Jimmy Biggerstaff
Hi-Desert Star
Published: Saturday, April 2, 2011 2:32 AM CDT
YUCCA VALLEY — Local Vietnam veterans gathered at the community center Wednesday afternoon for the second annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day reception.
The person who worked to make the appreciation day a statewide event did not himself serve in Vietnam. World War II veteran Carl Gorham told those in attendance he does not want veterans of the country’s current wars facing the treatment some Vietnam veterans were subjected to upon their return home.
“I appreciate what you did for our country,” Gorham told the veterans. Referring to their negative reception, Gorham added, “I hope it never happens again.” Gorham asked the Vietnam veterans to thank veterans of the country’s current conflicts, “like nobody did you guys.”
A roving microphone allowed veterans to voice their recollections and sentiments about their service.
“We didn’t know what PTSD was,” a veteran said. “I didn’t know what was going on. My mother was a psychiatric nurse. I stayed in her basement for a year. It never leaves you. It never does.”
Of note is that 40 and more years later, veterans still remember the full names of those they served with, especially the ones who were killed in the war. Michael Sabol and others confessed they suffered from survivor’s guilt after returning home when others did not.
Yucca Valley Mayor George Huntington, a U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran, said recognition for Vietnam veterans comes 38 years too late.
Peter DeLaCruz of Twentynine Palms, whose psychological injuries from Vietnam have obviously not healed, tried to relate his story but became overcome by emotion. Gorham came to DeLaCruz’s side for emotional support.
“You should be as proud as you can be,” Gorham told his fellow veteran.
Gorham recognized the support he gets from Vivian, his wife of 63 years, who helps her husband with computer communications. Not content to rest on his laurels, Gorham continues to advocate for psychological counseling for veterans and to open a full-time veterans service office in the Morongo Basin.
“This is my country and I’m going to do everything I can for them,” Gorham said. “I’m 86, I don’t know how long I’ll be able to carry on. Some have told me they’ll take the flag and run with it.”
