Tempers didn’t flare, but passions were evident at a meeting Saturday about a controversial proposed addition to the Washington State Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
The proposal would add a plaque depicting a Vietnamese “mourning soldier” with inscriptions in English and Vietnamese that read, “We remember with gratitude the soldiers of the Republic of Vietnam and the United States who fought and died for freedom and democracy in Vietnam.”
Many U.S. veterans of the Vietnam War oppose that plan and were among about 70 people who gathered for an hourlong discussion in the Columbia Room of the Legislative Building.
John Lee, the director of the state Department of Veterans Affairs, led the meeting and asked for a show of hands before it began, revealing a near-even split between those for and against the proposed addition.
Key figures in the debate spoke first, beginning with Lan Phan Jones of Tumwater. She co-chairs a citizens group that is working with Veterans Affairs to make the memorial addition a reality.
The group has raised about half of the $50,000 needed for the addition, she said.
Jones, whose father was a Republic of Vietnam soldier who died in 1999, was followed by Chuck Manley of Tumwater. Manley, who opposes the proposal, was involved in raising funds for the Vietnam Veterans Memorial before it was unveiled in 1986.
After Jones and Manley made their points, others joined the debate.
William Watkins of Lacey, who supports the proposal, served three tours in Vietnam with the Marines and said he fought side-by-side with some of the best South Vietnamese fighters they had.
“At no time did they turn and run on us,” Watkins said. “I know of my friends who died, if they were here, would vote for them to have that (addition).”
David Churchill of Littlerock served with the Marines and was one of five Spokane Valley residents to volunteer for the war in 1968, he said. One of those five names is now inscribed on the memorial wall. He told the audience that the memorial on the Capitol Campus “is for the citizens of this state.”
Tom Stoddert of Lacey, who served with the Army in Vietnam, said he, too, fought alongside the South Vietnamese. “It’s real simple: They were united with us then and they’re united with us now,” he said.
Dolores Droddy of Centralia, in an emotional statement, told the audience that the wall bears her son Clyde Carrico’s name after he died in Vietnam.
“That’s for our boys, and they have paid enough,” she said about her opposition to the proposal.
Everett Brown of Tumwater said he served with the Marines and came home hating the “Vietnamese with a passion.” But meeting Lan Phan Jones and getting to know the Vietnamese community here has helped him heal, he said.
“This thing can be a healer,” he told the audience about the proposed addition.
After the meeting, Jones wanted to make clear that the existing memorial would remain untouched and that the proposed addition would be set up near it, she said.
“This is for everyone,” Jones said.
Rolf Boone: 360-754-5403
rboone@theolympian.com
