Dave Spriggs

I am grateful for another Christmas with my family. We enjoyed the Christmas Eve service at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. It was a candlelight service and included Christmas Carols. My parents and Emily went with Julie and me. Julie fixed a wonderful meal for our family on Christmas Day. Here are some pictures of our family.

This post is a couple of weeks late. On 5/11/2025, our family celebrated Mother’s Day. We had dinner at Amanda and Will’s home.

Of all the blessings in my life, there is nothing I am more grateful for than my mom, my wife, and my daughters.

My father is a Vietnam Veteran. I have written about his experience in Vietnam in my blog post:

Jerry's Journey to Vietnam and Return Home

On April 30, 2025, my father and I embarked on a poignant journey known as the Flight of Honor. The mission of this remarkable organization is to celebrate veterans by inviting them to partake in a day honoring them at the nation's memorials in Washington, D.C.. For those interested in learning more, additional information can be found here: Flight of Honor.

The Journey Begins

We arrived at the airport early, around 5:50 AM, and were met with an impressive level of organization and warmth. The atmosphere was uplifting, as:

• A girls' choir performed the national anthem
• A voice teacher gave a heartfelt rendition of "God Bless America"
• A brigadier general welcomed everyone, adding to the sense of honor and respect

Our flight included 100 veterans, each accompanied by a guardian, totaling an equal number. The role of the guardian is crucial; we are there to ensure the safety of our veterans while providing companionship and support to enhance their experience. It was a privilege for me to serve as my father's guardian during this significant day.

Visiting the Memorials

By approximately 10:15 AM, our plane touched down in Washington, D.C., and our bus tour commenced at 11:00 AM, with our first destination being the World War II Memorial. Among the group were three veterans who had bravely served during World War II.

Throughout the day, we visited several iconic landmarks that are not only beautiful but steeped in history:

• World War II Memorial
• Korean War Memorial
• Vietnam War Memorial
• Marine Corps Memorial
• Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
• Arlington National Cemetery
• Lincoln Memorial
• Washington Monument

Each site was an unforgettable experience that honored those who have served our country.

The Vietnam War Memorial

April 30, 1975, marked the fall of Saigon, a pivotal moment in history. On the eve of that day, April 29, 1975, the song "I'm Dreaming of a White Christmas" played to signal the evacuation of American personnel from Vietnam.

The day of our trip happened to fall on the 50th anniversary of that event. Many Vietnamese individuals expressed their gratitude to my father for his service during the war. Several asked to have pictures taken with my dad, including this Vietnamese woman who became tearful as she thanked my dad for his service in Vietnam.

During this poignant occasion, my father visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. A park ranger helped him create a rubbing of his late friend, Michael K. Thompson, a helicopter pilot who lost his life in Vietnam.

The trip was truly memorable. My father and I cherished our shared moments together, with one of the most impactful experiences being his visit to the Vietnam memorial.

I recall a family vacation to Washington D.C. in the 1980s when I was around 14 years old. Initially, my impression of the Vietnam Memorial was not favorable; I found it rather stark and felt it didn't adequately honor the sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans.

Critics have described the memorial as "a black gash of shame and sorrow," pointing out its lack of grandeur compared to other memorials. Perhaps its simplicity is precisely what makes it a fitting tribute to an unpopular war and serves as a reminder of the challenges faced by returning Veterans. The wall bears the names of over 58,000 servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice.

Preparing for the Journey

Our trip involved considerable walking. When I applied to be a guardian for my father, a nurse from Flight of Honor asked if I was prepared for the physical demands of pushing him in a wheelchair. To prepare, I dedicated myself to regular exercise for five weeks leading up to our journey. Pushing my dad up the ramp at the Lincoln Memorial was quite a workout.

Giving Back to Veterans

We returned to Washington D.C. airport around 6 PM, where Arby's generously provided lunch and dinner for our group. The franchise owner has been a long-time supporter of Flight of Honor, and we are grateful for individuals like him who contribute to this noble cause.

A special aspect of our trip is known as "mail call," which aims to recreate the experience of receiving letters while serving in the military. My father received numerous letters from friends, family, and community organizations expressing their support for Veterans on this journey. He was genuinely touched and uplifted by their kind words.

A Warm Welcome Home

Upon arriving at Greensboro airport, we anticipated a warm welcome for our flight. I was taken aback by the large turnout. People of all ages were there to greet and honor the Veterans in our group.

This experience with Flight of Honor was truly unforgettable. I'm glad my dad and I were able to spend the special day together. While we enjoyed the trip, we were also glad to return home and appreciated our family greeting us and patiently waiting for us to deplane.

Flight of Honor was a great experience for my dad. I'm so glad I was able to go with him. I'm also glad our family was able to celebrate the experience with us.

In the News

Here is a recent news story about the trip.

Julie and I live about 30 minutes from Hanging Rock Park in North Carolina. We decided to go to the park after church today. The weather was beautiful and ideal to enjoy the park. We spent about 30 minutes walking on an easy trail.

We enjoyed seeing the trees. There was a waterfall, and it was the highlight of our walk. Here is a brief video of some of what we saw.

Julie and I have only been to Hanging Rock a few times. We hope to go more often this year.

Happy Easter 2025. Julie and I enjoyed the Easter service at Kernersville Wesleyan Church. We attend the service at 8:30 am, which is a traditional service.

After church, Julie spent most of the day preparing a delicious meal for dinner. Our girls were able to join us, but Amanda's husband, Will, was not feeling well, so he was not able to come. My mom and dad had dinner with us. I am glad our family was able to be together.

Introduction

My dad, Jerry Spriggs, is an Army veteran and was deployed to Vietnam in 1967-68. While growing up, I noticed my dad’s patriotism and pride in his military service, but he was reluctant to discuss his experiences in Vietnam. Like many combat veterans, my dad rarely spoke about his military service when he was young. He was busy raising a family, working, and meeting other responsibilities in his life. He also experienced the trauma of combat, which is impossible to understand for those who have not shared that experience. As an adult, I read several books about Vietnam’s history and the events leading up to the Vietnam War to better understand the conflict. One of my favorite books about Vietnam is: https://a.co/d/gJmQv8z. This book is notable for its comprehensive history and extensive photographs of Vietnam and the war.

As of March, 2025, the Vietnam War was the second longest conflict in U.S. history, with direct U.S. involvement between 1955-1975. Only the war in Afghanistan was longer (2001-2021), and not by much at 19 years and 10 months, vs. 19 years and 5 months in the case of Vietnam. The Vietnam War was a complex and unpopular war. Unlike previous generations of combat veterans, many Vietnam veterans were not welcomed home.

Early Life and Enlistment

My dad grew up in Michigan. He was a good athlete, a good student, and an outstanding musician. When he was growing up in the 1950s, there were many venues for live music, and my dad and the bands he played in were often hired to perform.

Vietnam was the last major conflict that included conscripted service (the draft). My dad volunteered for military service. He grew up in a patriotic family, and his older brother had served in the military.

Deployment to Vietnam

My father entered military service at age 20. He excelled and was quickly promoted to Sergeant. He served as an Area Intelligence Specialist, designated with the military occupational specialty 97C40. This intelligence gathering relies on human sources instead of monitoring radio transmissions and other methods.

Some of the specific areas in Vietnam in which my dad was stationed include:

• Bien Hoa
• Tan An
• Tay Ninh
• Xuan Loc

Daily Life in the War Zone

Both of the above photos are of my dad when he was stationed in Vietnam. You will notice that in both of these photos, he is in civilian clothes. For the majority of his time in Vietnam, he did not wear a uniform. He also did not use his real name. His cover was that he was part of a private organization called “JTAD-13” or “Joint Technical Advisory Detachment”. JTAD-13 would advise local organizations in the Vietnamese community. In that role, he was able to cultivate human intelligence sources.

Memorable Experiences and Encounters

When my dad was stationed in Tay Ninh, the team chief (a U.S. Army Captain) had recently been assassinated. As a young NCO, my dad was selected to take over as team chief. He was in charge of 3 U.S. military men and many Vietnamese national who collected human intelligence. He coordinated with a Vietnamese agency called “MSS” (military security service) and the CIA and U.S. Air Force.

My dad was stationed in Bien Hoa during the Tet Offensive. His base came under enemy attack and sustained significant losses, including most of the M.P.s who were providing perimeter security. The soldiers who were not killed were traumatized by this attack.

My dad chose to serve in Vietnam over 13 months vs. the typical 12 months (for one deployment). He chose to extend his deployment because that allowed him to fulfill his obligation to the Army. This also eliminated the need to serve additional years in the reserves.

Return Home and Adjustment to Civilian Life

My dad’s return home wasn’t easy. There were no readjustment classes or other programs to help prepare him for life after the military. Twenty-four hours after he received notice that he was leaving the war zone, he found himself in Oakland, California. He then went to Portland, Oregon, where he stayed with his older brother for a few months before returning to Michigan.

When he arrived in Michigan, the dog he loved (pictured above) had passed away. I know that seems like a relatively small loss, but he was looking forward to seeing his dog and it was one of many losses. His parents had moved to a new city, so he needed to adjust to a new location.

My dad’s mother was working in an office with a young lady named Carolyn. Although they were different ages (my grandmother was much older), they had a lot in common. They were both married and both went to different churches. They soon became friends. My grandmother told her that her son would be returning home soon from Vietnam.

Carolyn suggested that Jerry go to her church so she could introduce him to her sister-in-law, “Rita.” Jerry and Rita started dating, and my parents were married in 1969. I was born in 1970 and my brother was born in 1977.

My dad worked in the audio industry for most of his career. Despite the challenges in adjusting to civilian life, he worked tirelessly to take care of his family. He is a great dad to my brother and me, and a wonderful grandfather to my daughters.

Jerry Today

This is a picture of my parents, Jerry and Rita, from March 2025. My mom and dad attend church regularly, and my dad still plays his saxophone beautifully. He sees other veterans when he goes to his medical appointments at the VA clinic. My dad rarely discussed his military experiences while I was growing up, but he has been open to sharing more about them in recent years.

I am glad to learn more about my dad’s journey to Vietnam and his return home. Like many veterans before him and generations after him, my dad did not want to draw attention to himself. In many ways, he’s an average guy who grew up in 1950s America, raised a family, worked hard, and is now enjoying his retirement. While that is true of him and other combat veterans, it misses a bigger part of the story.

My dad is an ordinary man who made significant sacrifices and accomplished incredible things in his journey to Vietnam. He made these sacrifices out of a call to serve something greater than himself. He is exemplary and I am so proud of my dad.