Photo by Jim Muchlinski George Seldat of Marshall was one of the Vietnam War panelists Tuesday at the Lyon County Museum. Seated are panelists Karl Porisch, Royal Hetling and Dan Dybsetter.

MARSHALL — Residents had a rare opportunity on Tuesday to get a firsthand look at the Vietnam War.

A group of about 70 people visited the Lyon County Museum for a grand opening of the new Vietnam War exhibit along the Veterans Wall. The event included a panel of six speakers who shared their experiences as soldiers in Vietnam.

In the process, they expressed views about how America in 2023 remembers the Vietnam experience. Royal Hetling of Minneota said he’s concerned that Vietnam is fading into obscurity with the general public.

“My generation knows a lot more about World War II than younger generations know about Vietnam,” Hetling said. “It’s important that people know what happened. It shouldn’t be allowed to fade from our memories.”

Hetling, who handled military police dogs in Vietnam, said 58,248 Americans died in the war, something that meant losses both for their families and for America in general.

“I think of what kinds of things they might have accomplished later in life,” he said. “We lost all of that. We lost it forever.”

Dan Dybsetter of Porter said he’s happy that many veterans from the local area shared their stories with museum staff and volunteers.

He added that historically many Vietnam veterans were reluctant to talk about the war. He said one of the main factors is guilt that they feel about being one of the survivors.

Many of us feel guilty about not being on the front lines,” Dybsetter said. “People who were on the front lines feel guilty that they weren’t killed. The only ones who don’t have to feel guilty are the dead, and they can’t tell their story.”

Karl Porisch of Marshall served as a Marine near Da Nang in central Vietnam during 1970 as the Nixon administration began to disengage from the war. He owns maps and an operations manual that are part of the exhibit.

He said his experience in Vietnam is something he and other veterans carry with them throughout their lives, even a half century later.

“It’s had a very profound effect on me,” Porisch said. “After the things we witnessed, it’s hard not to let it affect our lives.”

George Seldat of Marshall shared a good memory of Vietnam. In his spare time he taught English and art at a religious school run by Vietnamese Franciscan monks.

He said he had no experience in teaching English or art and no special talent for it. He was just told that he could teach because he knew more than the boys. The drawings completed by some of his students are on display in the exhibit.

The experience motivated him to pursue a doctorate degree in economics and to spend most of his career at Southwest Minnesota State University.

“I was lucky to have something good happen to me in Vietnam,” Seldat said. “Many veterans didn’t experience anything good. We have a lot of heroes who were in tough places. We need to honor them and thank them.”

Dan Markell of Green Valley served as a crew chief on a freight liner. He considers men who served in the infantry as the Vietnam War’s greatest heroes.

“Not a day goes by that I don’t think of Vietnam,” Markell said. “Those who were in the infantry are the heroes. All we did was fly in and blow away their tents. They have my admiration.”

Norm Tiegen of Blue Earth, and formerly of Marshall, taught high school in Marshall until 1968. He ran out of deferments and was sent to Vietnam.

He at times had to miss school to take care of military appointments. He and other teachers tried to keep it a secret from the students, but they quickly learned about it. A choir member even sang a solo on a bus ride about how he would be sent to Saigon.

In Vietnam he worked for a Lutheran chaplain. He said research completed by museum staff and volunteers made him realize that his story is important even though he didn’t see action.

“Our stories are important because we’re important as veterans, “Tiegen said. “It’s OK to accept thanks. It’s good to tell our stories.”

Bill Palmer, who serves as Lyon County Historical Society president, has completed many interviews with veterans that served as a starting point for exhibit research. He said he enjoys listening to their accounts and considers it an important responsibility.

“They’re trusting me with something that’s been a very important part of their lives,” Palmer said. “I put a lot of effort into every interview and article. I want readers to learn as much as possible from them.”

Pam Barrows, who was a nurse in Vietnam, said in the open microphone portion of the event that being a caregiver for soldiers was a strong foundation for a nursing career.

“I began by caring for soldiers in Vietnam and ended my career caring for veterans,” Barrows said. “There’s nothing better than that.”

Deb Ahmann, whose brother Tom Bradley was killed in Vietnam, said after the program that she was impressed by Tuesday’s event. Her family was recognized as a Gold Star family after Tom’s death.

“This is a really good way to keep his memory alive,” Ahmann said. “They’ve done a great job. It honors the service of all veterans.”