Montana Plains replay Vietnam memories: confidence and competence were the sterling characteristics that shone through when four severely disabled Vietnam veterans participated in VFW's annual antelope hunt. This year marked the 20th time VFW has sponsored the outing

VFW Magazine, Jan, 2003 by Jack Ballard

Malaria, more surgery and nagging wounds took his body from 140 pounds down to 45. Even that failed to quench his spirit. After a lengthy recovery, he embraced the opportunities of living ... and giving.

For 15 years, Mason graciously served as a lifeline for others, first on a rescue squad, then as an EMT and CPR instructor. "I did everything the others did" he says of his rescue work. Then adds with a chuckle, "except carry the cart."

`Bump in the Road'

Like Mason, Robert Moran has invested the better part of his professional life in service to others. After arriving in `Nam in January 1970, Moran soon assumed the duties of point man for his squad when the previous leader was killed in action.

Assigned to a tumultuous area in the Chu Lai region, Moran's unit--2nd Plt., A Co., 2nd Bn., 1st Inf., 196th Light Inf. Bde.--awoke one morning to find they'd been saddled with the unsavory task of sweeping the area with dogs for boobytraps.

"When possible, I'd let the dog go ahead," he explains. "But it was so thick I was usually just chopping my way with a machete. The dog kept trying to squeeze through my legs. The last thing I remember was the lieutenant asking if the dog was bothering me."

The mine that detonated under Moran's boots literally blew off both legs below the knees, then riddled his body with shrapnel. Lapsing into a coma, he remembers but seconds of his evacuation. In Japan, three weeks later, he awoke with a limp arm (nerve damage caused by shrapnel) and legs removed high on the thighs.

Fearing he wouldn't survive, arrangements were made for his parents to come to Japan. "I'd told Mom I'd take care of myself, so I was a little embarrassed" he admits. Within days, though, the support he received from his folks radiated to the other young men in the hospital who quickly took to calling his parents "Mom" and "Dad" as well.

Buoyed by family, Moran set out to live life as he'd planned it before his injury. "My goal was to go, do my duty, come back, go to college, get married and lead a productive life," he said. "Even though I had a `bump in the road' I came back, married my high school sweetheart, had two kids and received a college degree."

What of the productive life? Well, he's served other veterans in various capacities, working in a "very rewarding job" as county service officer and holding other veteran-related posts. A member of several fraternal organizations, Moran satisfaction in assisting the less fortunate.

Although he admits "my injuries are beginning to catch up with me, he nonetheless mustered the energy to volunteer this past summer at a kid's camp in Vermont. It was a camp fittingly attended by a number of children directly affected by the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11,2001.

Though his wounds may be catching up, they're a long way from eliminating Moran's competence with a rifle. Like Utley and Mason, Moran stopped his big pronghorn on opening day with one perfectly placed shot.

Inspiring Others

Did all the hunters make their kill with one shot? Not Dennis Gruenewald. And he took some ribbing over it. You see, prior to his Vietnam assignment, Dennis held a position on the Army's 1st Division rifle team in the early 1960s.