Gig Harbor Vietnam Vet Visits JBLM

Story courtesy of Sgt. Mark Cloutier of Defense Video & Imagery Distribution System.

JOINT BASE LEWIS-McCHORD, Wash. - March 22 was a day of sharing, comparing and reflecting, as members of the 864th Engineer Battalion “Pacemakers” hosted a local civic group, which included one very important Vietnam-era Pacemaker.

Lt. Col. John Henderson, commander of the 864th Engineer battalion, together with other battalion staff and soldiers spent the day with retired 864th commander, Col. Mel Wohlman, of Gig Harbor, along with some of his fellow members of the Gig Harbor Welcome Club.

Henderson was quick to respond when Wohlman called requesting to bring members of his club for a visit to his old unit.

Wohlman, who had been drafted into the Army in 1953 during the Korean War, had commanded the 864th Engineers from 1971 until his retirement in 1979.

A resident of Gig Harbor, Wohlman said his personal interest in the Army, his country and his community hasn’t diminished since his retirement; he still remains abreast of current events.

“We wanted to come get updated on what was going on in today’s Army,” Wohlman said. “We didn’t come to hear political opinions, we’re interested in current observations from the perspective of the troops … and it gives us an opportunity to be supportive of our military,” he said.

The day started with Henderson delivering a presentation which expressed the commander’s intent, as well as some of the 864th’s current preparation, training models and mission capabilities. He also shared information regarding the battalion’s history as well as some of its recent deployment accomplishments.

Following the briefing, the group ate at the battalion dining facility. During the meal a number of younger “Pacemakers” shared and compared some of their perspectives with those of some of the veterans in the group. The younger men were able to listen to a number of Army-life stories from those who had gone before them – in life as well as battle.

After lunch, the group climbed into a base school bus for a guided tour of a few of 864th’s current on–base projects.

As the acting tour guide, Henderson spent time showing and explaining things that could be found in some of his battalion motor pools.

The day concluded with a battalion award ceremony. At the ceremony, Henderson invited Wohlman to help him hang an Iraq combat streamer onto 617th Engineer Company’s guidon.

After the ceremony, Wohlman took time to reflect on what he had witnessed of the Army over the course of the day, in contrast to the Army of his own active-duty years.

“Overall, I think the soldiers of today are far better educated, trained and funded than we were in our day,” Wohlman said. “The quality of the battalion and troops today is far superior to what I had.

“I remember one month when I had over 200 AWOL’s who failed to show up to the unit for reassignment from Vietnam. I remember another time when 55 helicopter mechanics showed up to the battalion – we didn’t have a helicopter … but then, the drawdown from Vietnam was a disastrous time for the Army.”

Many who were able to participate in the day’s activities were quick to share their excitement for what they had to take away from the experience.

Henderson said that when Wohlman tells his stories it resonates with those stories which are often printed on the backs of Army celebration programs. “It takes us back to our roots,” he said.

At the end of the day, Henderson said many of today’s Pacemakers shared a new sense of attachment to something much bigger.

“The experience gives the troops a greater respect for our history, and more respect for other people and their conflicts…it’s our heritage,” said Henderson. “I believe that this experience, as well as others like it, is all part of building a military culture … and team.”

Henderson said that respect is the most important thing that any of us can learn, and when a soldier has respect for him or herself, then he or she will more easily grasp the concept of respect for their weapons, their vehicles, their home and their fellow Soldier.

He said that it’s in opportunities such as these, when we take the time to share time with others, to understand the challenges and accomplishments that they have known, that we truly begin to understand ourselves.