The new exhibit, The Vietnam War and Lyon County, opened on Aug. 8. The purpose of this exhibit is to help explain and further our understanding of how the war in Vietnam affected our Lyon County communities and the men and women who served there. Below are excerpts from oral history interviews conducted with area veterans.

“My 1st week with my company in Vietnam. They called it a mine sweep. They filled a 5-ton dump truck with sand and then sandbagged everything else. You sit on the cowling with the steering wheel between your legs and you back it up the road. I had gotten off the road track and when I turned to get back on the road, my front wheel hit a mine, detonated, and blew the front end of my truck off. I was launched … and landed in a rice paddy, so it was a soft landing.” William Curwick, Marshall High School Class of 1968, US Army, Vietnam: November 1970 to June 1972.

“I carried 19 clips (of ammunition), one Claymore (mine), 100 rounds of machine gun ammunition linked together, four hand grenades, three days’ rations, and five quarts of water. I also carried a towel, at least one pair of dry socks in a plastic bag, a T-shirt, and a poncho. We estimated (our full packs) at 90 pounds when we first went out.” Raymond Fox, Central Catholic High School Class of 1963, US Army, Vietnam: June 1968 to June 1969.

“Nothing could move on the road until we swept the road every morning for mines. So, we’d just walk along there for security for the minesweepers. They’d have half of you on the left side and half of you on the right side. You’d be about a quarter mile from the mine sweepers, watching for snipers, following them along so they wouldn’t get hit. Then about noon they could start sending convoys. I heard, when we had those mine sweeps, that when they drove back in, they hit a mine. So, somebody went back out after we went by because it was 10 miles or so, but it took you all morning to do it. So, it’s like you’re never safe.” Charles Hettling, Minneota High School Class of 1961, US Marine Corps, Vietnam: April 1966 to April 1967.

“The doctor never finished the surgery on them, but the stump was bound tight. The patient was going to an area where there was going to be reconstructive surgery. I don’t know that it really was hitting them — the extent of their injuries. My heart ached for them.” Sharon (Johnson) McCully, Russell High School Class of 1957, US Air Force, Vietnam: May 1970 to May 1971.

“We weren’t received. We came home and there was nothing. I realized that even my immediate family really didn’t ask questions about my experience nor was it discussed with others at Ft. Benning where Jack and I were stationed on our return. It just was and then it wasn’t. In Marshall when I was back here as director of nursing I was asked if I wanted to join the (Legion) Auxiliary. Once when I went to the VFW or Legion meeting they asked why I was there. It wasn’t until the ’80s that it became okay to be a Vietnam Vet. That’s when there was some recognition.” Pamela (Swennes) Barrows, Marshall High School Class of 1963, US Army, Vietnam: March 1968 to March 1969

The photograph featured this week is courtesy of Lyon County Vietnam veteran, James Keul. This photograph shows James standing outside the medical platoon bunker in Cu Chi in 1968. James graduated from Tracy High School in 1962. He served in the US Army and was stationed in Vietnam from January 1968 to December 1968.

To all veterans, consider joining us for our first monthly Veterans Coffee at the Lyon County Museum on Tuesday, Sept.19 at 1:30 p.m. We will be serving up coffee, treats, conversation, and camaraderie. Each month thereafter we will meet on the 1st Tuesday of the month at the same time of 1:30 p.m. with the next one being Tuesday, Oct. 3.

The Lyon County Historical Society (LCHS) is a nonprofit, member-supported organization. LCHS operates the Lyon County Museum at 301 W Lyon St in Marshall. The Lyon County Museum is open year-round to visitors. To contact us, visit our website: www.lyoncomuseum.org, call: 507-537-6580, email: director@lyoncomuseum.org, or on our Facebook page.