Lemont VFW Commander Reflects on Service to His Country

This is the first story in our Memorial Day series honoring Lemont veterans.

Bill Ward was 23 years old in 1969 when he graduated from college and entered the Marine Corps as an officer. 

“I was a platoon commander in charge of 42 kids at the age of 23," he said. "How young the kids were back then. Only two guys were older than me in the platoon — think about that.

"Most of my kids were 18, 19, 20 years old."

Ward, commander of , spent 13 months in Vietnam with the 1st Marine Division, first in Da Nang, a port city, and then traveling all over Vietnam as an adviser to the Vietnamese Marine Corps.

Anti-war movement

Ward returned home in the turbulent 1960s when the anti-war movement was at its most vitriolic.

“No one cared (about the soldiers’ sacrifices)," he said. "Unfortunately, some people misplaced their judgment and were led by people like Jane Fonda.”

Anger was taken out on the military men instead of toward the government, he added.

“It wasn’t the easiest thing, but I think I speak for most Vietnam veterans ... there are many of us that would do it again if given a chance," Ward said. "Most Vietnam veterans are proud of their service. We know what we did.

“If you’re going to send men out in harm’s way, it’s not the men’s fault what the policy is. Whether the policy is right or wrong, they’re doing what the government tells them to, and they are there to defend our country.”

When Ward returned home, he was a police officer for more than two decades, retired, became a teacher for 10 years and retired again.

The family back home

Just as wars are difficult for military men and women, their families suffer their own private pain, Ward said.

“It’s tough on the (soldiers), and it’s just as tough on the families back here who know their loved ones are in harm’s way," he said. "I’ve heard so many heartbreaking stories about (uniformed soldiers knocking at the door to deliver news of a death).”

Ward shared an experience his mother had with one such uniformed officer.

“My mother — a schoolteacher all of her life — tells the story of one of her former students who knew I had joined the Marines. He joined the Marines too. She hadn’t seen him in years, but he wanted my mom to see him in his dress blues.

“He knocked on the door and my parents saw this young guy in uniform. They immediately thought he was coming to tell them I was killed. My mother collapsed on the floor.

“My dad answered the door and the kid said, 'Mrs. Ward, remember me?'

“Those things you don’t read about. People might not understand that families
suffer a lot too and we have to honor them along with the troops.”

Helping veterans now

Ward said the post recently sent a $1,000 check to Operation Homefront, an organization that helps military families.

Post members visit Hines VA Hospital in Hines, Ill., near Maywood to bring gift bags to patients and residents. The post hosts the men in Lemont twice each year
for bingo and more gift bags.

As World War II veterans age, “we’re losing about 1,000 a day,” Ward said.

Agent Orange

As for Vietnam veterans, “there’s only 30-35 percent alive. Two and a half million served, and only about 800,000 are still alive,” Ward said.

“I think Agent Orange has a lot to do with it. We have one member here who had no family history of diabetes but was diagnosed with it one year after he returned from
Vietnam," he said.

Agent Orange is a highly toxic chemical used by the military in Vietnam to defoliate trees and densely vegetative areas to eliminate hiding places.

Jim Brown, former commander of the post, was 66 when he died in March. A highly decorated veteran who received a Silver Star and two Bronze Stars, he served in the 101st Airborne in Vietnam.

“He had diabetes, heart problems — all directly related to Agent Orange," Ward said.

Disappearing  history

The history of World War II and Vietnam is lost on young people today, Ward said.

“Kids don’t know about World War II. Think about it — when Vietnam was raging in the ’60s, we were only 20 years away from World War II. Now we’re twice as far away from Vietnam.

“It’s the responsibility of all us, particularly teachers, to get these kids to understand why they are here and why we have this wonderful country.”