Article and Photos 

by Annemarie Eveland

They served our country at a time that was most unpopular. The Vietnam war lasted the longest in all our American history. It began November 1, 1955, and ended April 30, 1975. Reports indicate that 2,594 million U.S. servicemen were involved. Casualties of our military were 58,190 (38,502 killed in action and over 5,264 died of wounds). The military listed 766 as prisoners, and 114 died in captivity.

       The staggering statistics of our service people killed, maimed, permanently scarred mentally and emotionally were frightening. Often, upon their return, people booed them, shouted profanities, spat on them, and called them names. People advised these brave soldiers not to wear their uniforms or identifying tags upon returning home, due to concerns about the backlash.

In 1982, they dedicated the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. and inscribed the names of 57,939 U.S. armed forces who died or were missing because of this war. Through the years, this total has passed 58,200.

There has been some recent effort to devote one day each year to honor those who served during that war. The quote, “All Gave Some, Some Gave All” rings so true here.

This year, the Vietnam War Veterans were being honored for serving. I helped with a First Annual National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day Celebration here in Payson, Arizona. It was long overdue, but helped heal some of the black past for them.

This special event was held at the Payson Elks Lodge on Saturday, March 29th, 2025, noon-5:00 p.m. This event filled the entire lodge space. 

The organizers dedicated one room to related organizations, including the Marine Corps League, Warming Center, Tuesday Morning Coffee Time for Veterans, Honor Guard, Cactus Navy, Quilts of Valor, and Veterans Helping Veterans, who attended and provided information about their services.

Organizers invited the entire community to this free event. Some activities included a colorful Patriotic Ceremony, Vietnam Veterans Keynote Speaker Jim Muhr, Award Winning Payson Honor Guard Presentation, which included the thirteen symbolic notations with each fold of the flag. A young son of a veteran helped with that. At the close of this, everyone stood and sang the Star-Spangled Banner with their hands on their hearts or saluting at attention.

Entertainment was performed by the favored and well-known Cinnamon Twist (Anne Eichberger, Jennifer Baltz and Don). Anne’s Vietnam Veteran brother added his thoughts of appreciation. The musicians covered a nice collection of Patriotic Songs, dance music and rousing finale of God Bless 

the U.S.A!

A simple picnic style lunch basket included Hamburgers with trimmings, or Hot Dogs, chips or fries, and a choice of soda. Lounge was available for other libations.

During the day’s festivities, t-shirts noting the event and patriotic flags were available for sale. People could also bring old flags to the Lodge for a special burning ceremony.

After the formal presentation, Art Schaier announced the Proclamations that had honored the Vietnam Vets. State congressional representative Walt Blackman House of Representatives, and Bobby Davis-Mayor of Star Valley, individually read them. At one point, the event organizers asked all attending Vietnam Veterans to stand for recognition.

Terry Lowman (a veteran himself) summarized upcoming activities: such as the competitive Chili Cook-off (contestants entry fee of $10) and, of course, yummy free samplings of the chili’s crock-pots were available for the audience to determine their number one choice. (Karen Schaier won).

Vietnam Veteran Jim Muhr was the keynote speaker and spoke of his serving as an officer in Vietnam during that time. After being wounded several times, he was assigned to notify the family of the soldiers who were killed. He got tears in his eyes as he talked about his first time notifying the wife of a soldier he knew. I thought if he felt emotional now after all these years, how hard it was for him then. He said he had a few stiff drinks after he left the sobbing wife and her relative for comfort. 

There was also the 50/50 raffle, a silent auction (items donated related to military and provided by Terry Lowman from Bison 76); and the fun rousing entertaining Trivia Game (that period of history was used as the subject) which he ran with teams, being each table of guests. It provided an opportunity to learn about our history then and encouraged active participation and lots of laughter.

I noticed many people were visiting with other attendees and got to know “their stories.” Much camaraderie made the event feel like a healing and wonderful memory maybe long overdue.

I thought of my dear brother, Vietnam Veteran, Joey, and sent my blessing thoughts to him in heaven. Yes, today was a good day.