In honor of Memorial Day, Lake Wales Daily was graciously permitted to publish the following transcription of a speech given by Lake Wales resident and Vietnam Army Veteran, Charles L. Skipper, to his Lake Wales High School class of 1965, in 2008:

This is the day that our nation has set aside to honor and pay tribute to those who have answered the country’s call, especially to those who have paid the ultimate price for their service.

That we are a nation who believes in peace and freedom, America was born in battle. And throughout our brief existence, we have called on our soldiers to fight more than any other country in modern history.

The American soldier has been called by many names: a patriot, a Yankee, a rebel, a Dough Boy, a “G.I.”, and many others. Even though he answers to all of these names, he is basically just: a farmer, a doctor, a lawyer, a factory worker, a mechanic, a boyfriend, a son, a father, a husband, the boy-next-door… He is you and me.

Our soldiers will put their lives on hold and travel to strange lands and help people they don’t know so that they can live in freedom, and without oppression, the same as we do. The American soldier is a fierce and relentless fighter. He is brave, determined, and he never quits, and never backs down. And above all, he is a kind, caring, and unselfish individual. He will turn around and share his food, shelter, and all he has with his enemy. Though he may not care for it, or like the people he fights for, he does his job, and then comes home, knowing he has made a difference in the world.

My experience of being a soldier came in a far away place called Vietnam. I was a young kid as most of us were. I did what I thought was right; I served my country. I fought and saw many friends die and even left my own blood on foreign soil and I came home to a cold shoulder and ridicule for what I had done.

The Vietnam soldier was the only soldier in US history who came home and was NOT hailed as a hero. I, myself, like most everyone else who were there, held our distain and bitterness inside and did our best to blend back into a society that we knew had no idea or could ever understand what we had seen or been through. But life goes on!

For me, this year marks 40 years since I was in Vietnam. The year I spent there is the most traumatic time of my life. I still have lasting and haunting memories of my time there. I remember the place we were, the things I have experienced and seen, and the people I knew there. They say that time changes and heals all things. I don’t know if this is true, but I DO know that war changes lives. But for those who have gone away and tasted the blood, they are not the same when they come home. People have often asked me through the years what it was like to be in a war. The best answer I can give is I came in the country a 21-year-old scared boy and left a 21-year-old tired man.

As the years have come and gone, our lives have changed. We find new commitments through our jobs, we get married (some of us more than others), raise a family, find new friends and scatter all over the world. But, the best thing that anyone can ever do is NOT forget the past. Especially the people that have touched their lives. There is nothing greater than renewing a bond of friendship with someone that you haven’t seen for a long time.

In 2006, I had such an experience. My wife and I traveled to Washington DC and I visited the Vietnam Wall for the first time. I met friends there that I hadn’t seen in 38 years. I told her that It isn’t bad that I know somebody’s name on the wall. I think we all do. What is sad is that I know SO MANY names on the wall. what most people don’t know about the wall is that not only are the names of those who lost their lives there, but the names of the known POWs and MIAs are on there too. The POW and MIA names have a cross beside them. When one of them is found, a circle is put around the cross. This signifies that they have come full circle; their journey is complete. They have come home! For me, there are four names that bear the cross: Fred Kruppa, Huiba Guillary, David Scott and Daniel Kelly. These were friends of mine. One was my platoon leader, and three were in my squad. On April 25, 1968, while in the A Shau Valley, on a road which winds around the side of a mountain, our platoon walked into an ambush, and these four troopers fell. Although repeated attempts were made to retrieve them, we eventually had to pull out into this day. They are still there waiting to come home. For myself, and those in my company, we have carried this burden for 40 years, and the wound is deep and bleeds constantly, and the only way the wound will finally heal, is when a circle is placed around their crosses.

Every soldier has a story to tell. This is a very brief part of mine. I am proud to be an American; I am proud to serve my country, and I am proud and salute those who also served. Upon leaving the wall, I had gained a new respect for those who were there.