Green Bay, WI (WTAQ) – 5 days to go before 53 NE Wisconsin Vietnam war veterans hop a bus out of Menasha, then board a flight out of Chicago and make the long trip to the other side of the globe.
The back stories and perspectives of these men are varied, despite the action they saw in a relatively compact part of southeast Asia.
In today’s ‘Return To Nam’ preview, meet Denmark’s Jimmy Umentum
Army veteran Jimmy Umentum did his time in Vietnam in 1968-1969. He worked as a radio operator and set up shop in several places during his tour.
“What we were is somewhat the ‘Kelly Services’ of the war. They flew us from area to area….so we were never in any particular area at one time.”
But there was always one common denominator.
“Every place we went we were in the line of fire.”
And Jimmy Umentum can tell you about it from more than his observations. It’s personal….
“I received the Purple Heart for wounds received for January 21st, which is on Monday. That will be 50 years.”
Several friends never made it back alive to get their medals.
“But, that was the price we paid for war. It’s difficult, but times go on. 50 years have passed and you’ve got to move on that’s all I can tell you.”
Like the others on this trip, Umentum is anxious to see what’s happened to the country. He was back in Vietnam 10 years ago on another tour and expects there’s been plenty of changes even in that amount of time.
“Go forward. You can look back, and you will. I was telling my wife on the way here today once to you get there you’re not going to see any Costcos. You’re going to see Asian people and this is their land.”
That might be true, but Jimmy Umentum says it’s the American memories that will get to everyone.
“There’s going to be a day when you’re probably going to break out in tears. Emotions are just going to.. There’s a lot of things going on and it’s going to happen to everyone. Every one of us.”
Follow the stories, interviews, pictures, and videos of this Old Glory Honor Flight over the next few weeks by the checking out the ‘Return To Vietnam’ hub at wtaq.co.
