March 6th… you’re not going to find it in your history books, but I can guarantee you that there some families and individual out there that won’t forget this day from 1971.
My dad, John Luke, along with Joynny Preyor the Kit Carson scout and another man whose name I’ve written down but can’t find my note on all were killed by an explosion in Quang Ngai province Viet Nam. Ed Benson lost his leg and other members suffered from other injuries.
I’m sure the families who lost their loved ones and the individuals who survived and came home still think of those we lost over 40 years ago.
This past year, I talked with some of the men who were there the day my dad died. It soothed my heart to learn the things they told me about him. My dad was a good man who was in Viet Nam by his own choice. He went there not so he could kill a bunch of people but because he felt it was right and because he felt he could make a difference. If dad would have come home and was able, they told me he would have made the Army his career because he enjoyed serving his country.
I love my dad and wish I could have known him.