Manuel Sustaita,
President of the Waco Citizens For A Vietnam Veteran's Memorial, Inc.
History
Manuel had visited the national Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial during a hurried trip to Washington, D.C. During his brief visit to the Wall, he was overwhelmed with emotion and grief as he recalled his friends who did not come back alive from Vietnam. In particular, he remembered his good friend and fellow Marine, Lance Corporal Joseph R. Wynn, who on May 14, 1965 became the first member of D Company, 3rd Recon Battalion, 3rd Marine Division to be killed in action. The saying "the good die young" was a true life experience when Joe died. Manuel remembered the families of those who died, and he thought about those who came back, never to be the same again. He recalled the way many Vietnam veterans were treated upon their return. He, along with many others, still maintained a sense of bitterness. On Manuel's return flight to Waco, he felt a transformation from bitterness to feelings of understanding, acceptance and even honor for those who served and for those who died in Vietnam. The wall had influenced Manuel as it had countless other people. Many have described the Wall as a shrine and remarked about its ability to reach out and embrace with its healing power. Could it be possible for a memorial to be built in Waco for those families, veterans and other citizens who may never go to Washington to have the experience shared by so many others at the Wall? Shouldn't Central Texans be reminded that blood, sweat and tears have paid for the cost of freedom? Thus the effort to build a Waco Vietnam Veterans Memorial was born.
We are established in the State of Texas as Waco Citizens for A Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Inc. Incorporating trustees were Manual Sustaita, Guy Cox and John Householder. The original organization structure had four officers and three board members. The board was subsequently expanded to nine members, including the officers.
We are formed as a citizens group to allow family members and others to be involved in this project, if they desired. It was also felt that we could reach out to existing veteran’s organizations by not becoming another veterans group ourselves.
We have been designated as a Section 501(c) (3) not for profit corporation and in accordance with I.R.S. determination, donors may deduct contributions to our organization to the extent allowed by law.
The memorial in located at University Parks Drive and Washington Ave in downtown Waco. It is situated in a park-like setting adjacent to the beautiful Brazos River.
As one approaches the memorial, the first sight is a quarter circle concrete wall with the inscription VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL. Extended from one end of the quarter circle are six linear concrete wall sections. A plaza is located beyond the wall. It is designated Veterans Plaza and is dedicated to this country's veterans, past, present and future. The linear wall sections facing the plaza contain bronze seals of the five branches of military service. These seals recognize the contributions of servicemen and women during the Vietnam War.
A walkway leaves the plaza and leads through a grove of 64 trees. The trees are in memory of the 64 servicemen from Waco and McLennan County who died in Vietnam. One tree ring stands empty in recognition of those still missing in action.
Three pavilions are located within the trees:
Pavilion I, The Beginning, represents our country, our families and us as individuals before the Vietnam War. Its granite markers states, "Before the Vietnam War, We Were Whole."
Pavilion II, The Conflict, is encountered further along the walkway. It is similar to Pavilion I, but it is broken and torn down. It symbolizes the war itself, the destruction and turmoil, the loss of life and the divisiveness within our country. Its marker states,” The Vietnam War Brought Destruction And Turmoil.”
Pavilion III, The Honor, is the final pavilion. Its marker is inscribed, "The Sacrifices of Those We Honor Make This Hallowed Ground. Let us Strive to Reunite and Heal." First, it pays tribute to the Waco and McLennan County servicemen who gave their lives in the war. On another level it recognizes the efforts of all American servicemen and servicewomen (those who died as well as those who survived) who served during the Vietnam era.
Finally, it endeavors to heal, to reconcile and to reunite all of us now that the war is over. Pavilion III is Pavilion II reconstructed to look like Pavilion I. The pillars of Pavilion III have cracks to show where the broken pillars have been put back together. The axis of Pavilion III is at an angle as compared to I and II, showing that despite our intentions to heal and to reunite, things will never be the same as they were before the war (Pavilion I). A monument stands inside Pavilion III which memorializes, by name, the 64 Waco and McLennan County casualty deaths. The monument is also in remembrance of all who served.
The memorial concept and design are the work of Mr. Don Matthews, winner of the design contest which was held in 1988.
The engineering and architecture services are by the Wallace Group, Bob Wallace, President. Jed Walker is the engineer and George Jezek is the architect.
Memorial Plaque Supporters
IN GRATEFUL APPRECIATION OF THOSE WHO HAVE MADE THIS MEMORIAL POSSIBLE.
WACO CITIZENS FOR A VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL, INC.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS:
MANUEL SUSTAITA - PRESIDENT & FOUNDER
JOHN HOUSEHOLDER, GUY D. COX, BRENDA SANDERS, SARAH GREEN, ELWAIN DAVIS,
SANDY CULVERHOUSE, MARCY WHITE
CITY OF WACO
MEMORIAL DESIGNER: DON MATTHEWS
PHIPPS MEMORIAL JOE PHIPPS
THE WALLACE GROUP, INC.
PRESIDENT _ BOB WALLACE
ENGINEER - JED WALKER
ARCHITECT - GEORGE JEZEK
AND TO COUNTLESS OTHERS FOR THEIR SUPPORT & DONATIONS.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Dedication
They are:
Manuel Sustaita
John Householder
Dr. Mike O'Bric
Robert Gamboa
Robert Carter
The City of Waco and its employees
McLennan County and its employees
and several hundreds more that there is not enough room to list. You know who you are and you know what you did, you are truly the unsung heroes of this event.
God Bless everyone who helped and God Bless America and her Commander in Chief and the Troops who stand on that wall to protect us in this time of war.
VIETNAM VETERANS MEMORIAL DEDICATION
MAY 15, 2004 - 10:30 AM
Gathering:
Patriotic Music and Military Fly-over
Mr. Brian Pardo U.S. Army Helicopter Pilot Vietnam Veteran Military Fly-Over
CALL TO ORDER:
Bagpipes and Drums Danny Kohl, Vietnam Veteran United States Army
Master of Ceremonies:
Robert Gamboa, Vietnam Veteran, Army
Raising The Flag:
United States Navy Color Guard
PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE:
Robert Harold, Vietnam Veteran, Army
WELCOME:
Representative Chet Edwards United States Representative
11th. Congressional District
POSTING FLAGS:
Bill Mahon, Veteran, United States Army McLennan County Veterans Assn.
Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Prisoner of War / MIA
RECOGNITION:
Don Matthews-Memorial Design
Wallace Group - Bob Wallace, President
Jed Walker, Engineer
George Jezek, Architect
Joe Phipps Family
State Representative John Mabry
TRIBUTE:
Presentation of Memorial Wreath
Central Texas Special Forces Assn. Chapter 77
GUEST SPEAKER:
John Householder, Vietnam Veteran Army
Richard Cayton, Command Sergeant Major of the Army (ret.) Vietnam Veteran
PRESENTATIONS:
JaneGray Williams- Family Representative
Readers:
Guy D. Cox, Vietnam Veteran USMC
Antonio Pina, Vietnam Veteran, USMC
AWARD TO THE CITY:
Manuel Sustaita, Vietnam Veteran, USMC
City of Waco Mayor Linda Ethridge
ECHO TAPS:
Bill Hall, Veteran, United States Air Force
Robert Fuller, Veteran, United States Army/Cavalry
FLAGS TO HALF MAST:
U.S. Army Color Guard
Rifle Salute:
United States Marine Corps Honor Guard
Bagpipes and Drums Bill Kohl, Vietnam Veteran, Army "Bells of Dunblane"
BENEDICTION:
Chaplain William Moody, United States Navy, Good Soldiers Foundation, Marine Corps League
CLOSING:
Bagpipes and Drums Danny Kohl, Vietnam Veteran, Army
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Manuel Sustaita, President
John Householder, Vice President
Brenda Sanders, Secretary
Sandy Culverhouse, Treasurer
Guy Cox, Director
Sarah Green, Director
Elwain Davis, Director
Marcy White, Director
SPECIAL RECOGNITION
City of Waco -Linda Etheridge, Mayor
Larry Groth, City Manage
Don Matthews, Memorial Designer
Wallace Group -Bob Wallace, President
Jed Walker, Engil
George Jezek –Architect
Joe Phipps Family- Granite Memorial
Waco Today Magazine
Waco Tribune-Herald Newspaper
Time Warner Cable -Memorial Wreath
Doug Fitzjarrell- Photographer
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
George Johnson -Assistant City Manager
Larry Holze -Public Information Officer
Rusty Black -Directol; Parks and Recreation
Liz Taylor- Waco Convention Center
Glen Seely –Security
Vic Felts -Transportation Coordinator
Sandra Henry- Women Veterans
Robert Gamboa -Master of Ceremonies
Mike O'Bric- Event Coordinator
SSgt. E. z. Padron- Young Marines
The Flag
The federal flag code says the universal custom is to display the U.S. flag from sunrise to sunset on buildings and stationary flagstaffs in the open, but when a patriotic effect is desired the flag may be displayed 24-hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness. Also, the U.S. flag should not be displayed when the weather is inclement, except when an all-weather flag is displayed.
Displaying the Flag
On Same Staff
U.S. flag at peak, above any other flag except a flag of another nation.
Grouped
U.S. flag goes to its own right. Flags of other nations are flown at same height.
Marching
U.S. flag to marchers right (observer's left).
On Speaker's Platform
When displayed with a speaker's platform, it must be above and behind the speaker. If mounted on a staff it is on the speaker's right.
Decoration
Never use the flag for decoration. Use bunting with the blue on top, then white, then red.
Salute
Head bare (women and military leave hats on), right hand over heart, standing at attention.
Over a Street
Union (stars) face north or east depending on the direction of the street.
Half Staff
On special days, the flag may be flown at half-staff. On Memorial Day it is flown at half-staff until noon and then raised.
Don'ts
Do not let the flag touch the ground.
Do not fly flag upside down unless there is an emergency.
Do not carry the flag flat, or carry things in it.
Do not use the flag as clothing.
Do not store the flag where it can get dirty.
Do not use it as a cover.
Do not fasten it or tie it back. Always allow it to fall free.
Do not draw on, or otherwise mark the flag.
Folding the American Flag
- Bring the striped half up over the blue field.
- Then fold it in half again.
- Bring the lower striped corner to the upper edge forming a triangle.
- Then fold the upper point in to form another triangle. Continue until the entire length of the flag is folded.
- When you get near the end - nothing but the blue field showing - tuck the last bit into the other folds to secure it.
When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.
Meaning of the Folding the American Flag
The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.
The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.
In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nations honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.