Four Names Added to Vietnam Memorial

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Four Names Added to Vietnam Memorial

Marine Corps News Clinton Firstbrook May 22, 2006

Washington D.C. - The names of three Marines and one soldier were added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during a series of wall inscriptions May 16-18, offering closure to their families. May 18 also marked the 38th anniversary of one of the Marine's death. Robert P. Rumley was wounded Sept. 5, 1966, after his helicopter was shot down.

He never fully recovered from his injuries and passed away in 1968. His brothers, Mark, Mike and Jon, witnessed the inscription, which Mark said made their family whole once again. “We feel peace, harmony and healing that we didn’t have before because of this place,” he said. “

I miss Bobby. I miss him more today than I have for some time. In a way, he’s become alive.” Rumley, the latest addition to the memorial’s wall section, followed Bobby G. Barbre, George B. Givens and Hans J. R. Lorenz. Since the memorial’s Nov. 13, 1982 dedication, 314 additional names have been carved into the wall. “Every name that’s added further completes the mission of the memorial,” said James H. Lee, president of Great Panes Glassworks, the Denver-based company that engraves the wall exclusively.

“To witness the names emerging out of the rock is a great privilege. It’s always a special and poignant moment to watch their sons’ or daughters’ name being added. I can’t imagine what that must feel like.” As Lee sandblasted Lorenz’s name into the black granite May 17, Maj. John L. Arsenault stood at attention for the fallen man’s mother, who could not attend.

After the dust settled, the major made the first charcoal rubbing to present to Lorenz’s mother. “Adding another Marine to the memorial is bringing home another American hero to a final resting place,” said Arsenault, a five-campaign Vietnam veteran. “It took 40 years to bring this Marine home, but he came home today. For me, it was a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.”The names of 58,253 American men and women who have died or remain missing after serving in Vietnam now span the length of the monument.

The recent additions will become official when they are read aloud during the Memorial Day Ceremony at the wall May 29. “To me it’s another piece of history coming into a place where it should be,” said Vietnam veteran William Harris, a park service volunteer and retired Army chief warrant officer. “I consider them all my brothers and sisters.”

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Copyright 2006 Marine Corps News. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.

Four Names Added to Vietnam Memorial

Marine Corps News Clinton Firstbrook May 22, 2006Washington D.C. - The names of three Marines and one soldier were added to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial during a series of wall inscriptions May 16-18, offering closure to their families.

May 18 also marked the 38th anniversary of one of the Marine's death. Robert P. Rumley was wounded Sept. 5, 1966, after his helicopter was shot down. He never fully recovered from his injuries and passed away in 1968. His brothers, Mark, Mike and Jon, witnessed the inscription, which Mark said made their family whole once again. “We feel peace, harmony and healing that we didn’t have before because of this place,” he said. “I miss Bobby. I miss him more today than I have for some time. In a way, he’s become alive.”

Rumley, the latest addition to the memorial’s wall section, followed Bobby G. Barbre, George B. Givens and Hans J. R. Lorenz. Since the memorial’s Nov. 13, 1982 dedication, 314 additional names have been carved into the wall. “Every name that’s added further completes the mission of the memorial,” said James H. Lee, president of Great Panes Glassworks, the Denver-based company that engraves the wall exclusively.

“To witness the names emerging out of the rock is a great privilege. It’s always a special and poignant moment to watch their sons’ or daughters’ name being added. I can’t imagine what that must feel like.” As Lee sandblasted Lorenz’s name into the black granite May 17, Maj. John L. Arsenault stood at attention for the fallen man’s mother, who could not attend.

After the dust settled, the major made the first charcoal rubbing to present to Lorenz’s mother. “Adding another Marine to the memorial is bringing home another American hero to a final resting place,” said Arsenault, a five-campaign Vietnam veteran.

“It took 40 years to bring this Marine home, but he came home today. For me, it was a moment that I will remember for the rest of my life.”The names of 58,253 American men and women who have died or remain missing after serving in Vietnam now span the length of the monument.

The recent additions will become official when they are read aloud during the Memorial Day Ceremony at the wall May 29. “To me it’s another piece of history coming into a place where it should be,” said Vietnam veteran William Harris, a park service volunteer and retired Army chief warrant officer. “I consider them all my brothers and sisters.”

Sound Off...What do you think? Join the discussion.

Copyright 2006 Marine Corps News. All opinions expressed in this article are the author's and do not necessarily reflect those of Military.com.