The Rosary, a Vietnam War story

This isn’t really a Christmas story but I feel it portrays the spirit of the season.

In 2010 I orchestrated our first reunion of the unit I served with in Vietnam. There were eighteen veterans in attendance, twelve of which I served closely with. You have to remember that I haven’t seen these men for forty to forty-two years. Despite the fact that I arranged the reunion I was nervous and apprehensive. Will I recognize them? Will they remember me? Would it be awkward? Will it bring back memories best left buried?

When I arrived I walked into the bar and there they were! Rock, Festus, Zulu, Major Shiley, Veers, Bobby G, Clark, Biggs, Staff Sergeant Garringer and the rest! We laughed, hugged and felt the years melt away. Time had been turned back. We were young again. Nothing had changed. It was like yesterday when were together back in Vietnam.

After things calmed down a bit my old buddy Bill Fesus (Festus) came up to me and said “I have something for you. Hold out your hand.” I extended my hand and in it he placed a black Rosary. I stared at it puzzled. What was this about? He said “You don’t remember this do you?” I honestly told him no, I didn’t remember it. He told me a story I had forgotten a long time ago. He said “Your grandmother gave you this Rosary before you shipped over to Vietnam. There was a point in Vietnam where you were mad at God, wondering why He would allow this war to happen. You were considering throwing the rosary away. You knew I was religious so you asked me if I wanted it. I have been saving this for you for 40 years.” I was stunned, my heart felt like it skipped a beat. That Rosary is now one of my most prized possessions. We made friends in Vietnam who became brothers.