Honoring War Dead in Heart and Voice

It took just the first reader of this weekend’s around-the-clock spoken tribute to Vietnam War veterans to show how emotional the day would be.

The first of 219 volunteers, Mission Viejo resident Beverly Druckrey, could recite the names of those who died in Vietnam for only about 15 minutes on Saturday morning before she had to leave.

“It was very emotional. The tears were running out there,” said Druckrey, who has lost a daughter to a car accident.

“I know the pain and anguish of losing a child, so when I thought of all the families represented by those who died in Vietnam, it took a toll on me.”

Starting Saturday and stretching for 96 consecutive hours to Veterans Day on Tuesday, all 58,619 American casualties of the Vietnam War will have their names called out in the plaza of the Mission Viejo Library, 25209 Marguerite Parkway.

About 75 people showed up Saturday morning for opening ceremonies, which included a military color guard.

The five City Council members strode to the podium on a stage against a backdrop of American flags, and each read a name before Druckrey began the tribute.

The project has been embraced by Mission Viejo residents, who quickly filled all the time slots--even the early-morning hours--shortly after the call for volunteers went out.

Two people alternate every 15 minutes for a one-hour shift, reading off about 400 names before yielding to the next volunteers.

“At first, I was nervous that I’d be the only one out here for 24 hours,” said Mayor William S. Craycraft, a Vietnam War veteran who served in the Army military police.

“But we had a phenomenal response. It tells me that when an American goes out there and makes the ultimate sacrifice . . . people will remember.”

City officials said that at least 90% of the readers--from senior citizens to intermediate school students--are from Mission Viejo.

There will be Vietnam War veterans giving tribute to fallen comrades and family members reading the names of loved ones who died in Southeast Asia, along with people who simply want to honor the dead.

“If they can give what they gave for this country, I feel this is the least that I can do,” said Coralee Arnold, a Mission Viejo resident whose husband served in Vietnam as a Marine, as she waited for her turn at the lectern Saturday. “People should remember them.”

City officials said spoken tributes are rare, although similar events have been held in Washington and Sacramento in recent years.

“I’m a little nervous about it. There are going to be a lot of very strong feelings out there,” said Bill Straddeck, a Mission Viejo resident who was a Marine for 40 years and served two tours in Vietnam, his last as a helicopter gunner.

“But I think it’s a great idea, especially with all the bad press we veterans got for going to Vietnam.”

Although the city has all the volunteers it needs, anyone who wants to read a single name of a veteran who died in the war can make arrangements by calling (714) 393-1914 or visiting the site.

The 96-hour spoken salute will conclude about noon Tuesday, before a 2 p.m. ceremony at the Norman P. Murray Community and Senior Center, 24937 Veterans Way.