American Legion Honors America’s Heroes on Memorial Day

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May 31, 2011, 02:09 ET

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2011 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It seemed like old times – at least in one respect. During the Annual Memorial Day Observance at The Wall, Barbara Lilly, an American Red Cross worker during the Vietnam War, remarked from the podium, "The weather today is just like it was in Vietnam. Same heat. Same humidity. The only thing missing is the dirt. So, if someone wants to throw some dirt on me, I'll feel right at home."

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110531/DC11241)

Considering the 90-plus degree noontime heat baking Constitution Gardens in Washington, D.C., the former Donut Dolly's apt humor was well appreciated by the hundreds of Vietnam veterans, family members and others who had gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Bikers from the weekend's Rolling Thunder motorcycle rally were there, as were Gold Star Mothers, Blue Star family members, National Park rangers, active duty service members, veterans service organization representatives, reporters, photographers and even Vietnam War entertainer Nancy Sinatra whose 1966 hit song, "These Boots Are Made For Walkin'" became an anthem of sorts for the grunts in 'Nam.

Among those laying wreaths of remembrance at The Wall was The American Legion's Western Region National Vice Commander William "Bill" Schrier, a Vietnam veteran himself. Earlier in the day he had attended the annual Memorial Day wreath laying at Arlington National Cemetery's Amphitheater, where thousands had gathered to hear President Barack Obama, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, pay tribute to our nation's fallen warriors.

While en route to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial from Arlington, Vice Commander Schrier talked with The American Legion about Memorial Day in relation to his own military service:

THE AMERICAN LEGION: "In the forty years that have passed from your war era to this one, the mood of the country seems to have changed a great deal. If there is not an actual reverence for our troops today, there is certainly a profound respect being shown in contrast to previous years. What, in your view, has changed the public view of warriors?"

NATIONAL VICE COMMANDER WILLIAM SCHRIER: "Well, during the Vietnam War, at least during the height of combat, I think the nation lost its moral compass; we lost our way. We took an unpopular war and hung it on the back of the war fighters, not the politicians. Now, America has seen the error of (its) ways and we are starting to, once again, honor those who serve and most certainly honor the families of those who gave their all. So, it was just a matter of finding our way as a nation and as a people."

TAL: "What triggered that, do you think?"

WS: "I think that Vietnam veterans got older – we're the parents and the grandparents – and (we said) 'it'll never happen again. Not on our watch.'"

TAL: "Your reflections today, thus far, having seen the President speak along with Secretary Gates…"

WS: "I can see the genuine concern from both the Secretary and the President. But, just as important, I got a chance to talk to the officers and NCOs who are out here at the Tomb [of the Unknowns], who are on the caissons, who are the guards here at Arlington. (I see) the pride they take in their job, the way they look, the way they carry themselves. I think it all comes together to remind America that we owe so much to those who serve."

TAL: "Do you have any purely personal reflections to share?"

WS: "I will when I get to the Vietnam Wall and I see so many names on there of my friends. It always haunts me. I always go to the Traveling Wall and (when) I come back here two or three times a year; I always visit The Wall. Many of the people who are on there are people who have brought me along and turned me into a soldier and you don't forget that. Out here among the garden of the stones, as it were, there are so many of the officers and NCOs from World War II and Korea – usually both – who turned us into what we became – professional soldiers. You don't forget something like that or those to whom you owe so much."

Commander Schrier is a proud former Army Airborne Ranger – Army through and through in family tradition. "Ask me why I didn't join the Navy," he challenges.

"Okay, why didn't you join the Navy?"

"Because the Navy doesn't have an Airborne Division."

SOURCE The American Legion