Image provided by: University of Oregon Libraries; Eugene, OR
About Wallowa County chieftain. (Enterprise, Wallowa County, Or.) 1943-current | View Entire Issue (Jan. 25, 2017)
Wallowa County Chieftain News wallowa.com January 25, 2017 A3 Vietnam vets share at Fishtrap event By Steve Tool Wallowa County Chieftain It was standing room only at Fishtrap’s second Big Read event Thursday night, Jan. 19, at the Tomas Building confer- ence room. Fishtrap titled the event: What Vietnam Teaches Us: Wallowa County Veterans Dis- cuss The Things They Carried. The 2017 Big Read book is Tim O’Brien’s Vietnam War classic “The Things They Carried.” Local veterans Dennis Sheehy, Steve Rubin and Jose McCormack spent the eve- ning answering questions from moderator Miles McFall and the audience about their war experiences. The three veterans and McFall sat in a row facing the audience for the duration of the evening. Sheehy joined the Marine Corps in 1966 and went to Vietnam in March 1967. Originally an infantry- man/rifl eman, he became a radio operator. He left Viet- nam in June 1967 when he was wounded. After spending some time in a naval hospital he left the Corps in 1968. MARCH Continued from Page A1 Shortly after 1 p.m. march- ers fi led from the parking lot along a route that led down North Lake Street, two blocks to East Williams Avenue and across Main Street, being care- ful to cause as little traffi c dis- ruption as possible. Turning north the marchers traveled to East Maple Street while many cars honked while shouting approval. After re-crossing Main Street the long line trav- eled to the Jennings Hotel lob- by where hot chocolate and snacks awaited the jubilant marchers. The marchers fi lled the hotel lobby where several of the event organizers including lead organizer Sarah Lynch stood atop the counter to ad- dress the crowd, congratulat- ing them for their participation and urging more political ac- tivism to ensure their voices be present in the political process. Many marchers also wrote about their experiences on the lobby’s papered walls. Lynch said a local march was suggested at this month’s Wallowa County Democrats meeting because many local Steve Tool/Chieftain Thursday’s Big Read event featured several Wallowa County veterans discussing their Vietnam experience with an audience and moderator Miles McFall. L to R: Miles McFall, Marine Corps veteran Dennis Sheehy, Navy Steve Rubin and Marine Corps veteran Joe McCormack. Steve Rubin served in the U.S. Navy as a doctor from 1973-1975. He did two tours off the coasts of Vietnam and Cambodia. Joe McCormack enlisted in the Marines in 1967 at 17. Originally trained as an 81 and 60 millimeter mortar man, McCormack went to Vietnam in 1968 and was retrained as a forward observer as well as forward air controller and for- ward naval gun controller and artillery forward observer. He left Vietnam in 1969 and was honorably discharged in 1970. McFall is a retired clinical psychologist who worked for the Department of Veterans Affairs for many years. The fi rst question McFall asked were the men’s overall impression of O’Brien’s book and what they liked and didn’t like about it. Rubin thought the most important part of the book was preservation of the women wanted to attend a march but did not want to trav- el. To that end, a group of local women, not all from the local Democratic Committee, set the wheels turning for a local march. “The event was not diffi cult to organize and it was done in under 2 weeks with local ac- tivists and businesses rallying together to quickly organize a wonderful event,” she said. All of the marchers the Chieftain interviewed said they were surprised at the turnout size as well as the spirit and joy emanating from fellow march- ers. Heidi Muller said she marched, in part, to let mem- bers of the community in eth- nic, religious, sexual prefer- ence or gender minorities to know they have allies standing behind them. “I did so because the new administration is poised to take action to dismantle much of the good that I think has been achieved over the course of my lifetime, and I do not want to be complicit in actions I think are harmful for people and our planet,” she said. Wallowa resident Katy Ma- drid described herself as a very political person who planned to attend the march in either Boise or Portland, when a friend told her about the Joseph march. “I think it’s a very critical time to be counted, and to get and stay involved ... I hope we use this momentum to stay connected and heard in future years,” she said. Many men joined the march, Mark Lacey among them. Like Muller, the Joseph resident marched to ensure that advances in human rights over the last several decades remain in place. Lacey appreciated the civility of the march as well as the large numbers of families that participated. “I think the march, in sol- idarity with other marches around the world is the begin- ning to keep pressure on our elected representatives,” he said. “If they do not respond appropriately, they’re going to be out of offi ce.” Robin Martin, a resident of Joseph, said she marched to protect the environment and be encouraged by others to not be afraid to stand up for what she believes. Martin was hap- py seeing her community pull together in solidarity and love. As a cancer survivor able to afford private health insurance, Martin said she marched for memory, of the fallen. “The fact is, he was re- minding us not to forget,” Ru- bin said. He liked the book and thought it well-written. McCormack also thought the book interesting. “It’s very interesting to read someone’s perspective on human idiosyn- crasies, and how he was able to manufacture the personalities of the people he wrote about.” He added that he wasn’t sure why the book was studied so heavily. Sheehy said he didn’t like the book at all, save the fi rst chapter. Apart from not liking novels to begin with, Sheehy said the writing style of the war sections changed signifi - cantly from when the author was telling a true story or a fabrication. McFall also asked the three how the war changed their per- spective on themselves, others or the world. Sheehy said the war changed his perspective on what he wanted to do when he got out. Previously a bor- derline student, Sheehy knuck- led down after his war stint. “Even to the point of be- coming a professional stu- dent,” he said with a laugh. On the negative side, Shee- hy said he lost confi dence in both the media and politicians, which persists to this day. Rubin said the war gave him the impetus to study in college, so wouldn’t get drafted. On the negative side, “I saw there was signifi cant (racial) prejudice. I thought that was settled a long time ago,” he said. McCormack said he had been drifting in high school when he volunteered. “When I was in, I devel- oped a good sense of direction that was pleasing to me. There was room for promotion and that sort of thing. You could excel and that felt good,” he said. He added that the war did give him an anger problem that he’s learned to control over the years as well as a distrust of politicians. When it came to offering advice for returning Iraq and Afghanistan veterans, McCor- mack advised that they learn to turn off memories, which can trigger PTSD episodes. “You have to train your mind to look at the brighter side of life in that moment,” McCormack said. All the men recommended seeking out fellow veterans in outreach groups with Di- vide Camp mentioned by Joe McCormack. They also said that being treated well by the community meant more than a “Thank you for your service.” Their service had plea- surable times as well. Both McCormack and Sheehy re- membered fi shing with hand grenades in the same lake, though at different times. At the end of the session the three briefl y took audience questions about which books about Vietnam they recom- mended and answered in the affi rmative when asked if their service infl uenced their career choices. As the crowd wound down, Sheehy said he had only hesi- tated a little when asked to par- ticipate and hadn’t come to the forum with any expectations. “I think it went pretty well,” Sheehy said. McFall said that he was very pleased with the crowd size and the way it embraced the topic rather than shied away from it. those who can’t afford or are unable otherwise to get health insurance as well as reproduc- tive rights. “I cherish the right to make choices without government interference,” she said. “I marched because I remember myself as a young woman en- tering Planned Parenthood for the fi rst time to receive my fi rst birth control. I am blessed to live in Wallowa County and know we’ll remain strong to- gether.” Lynch said she expects the marches to have an impact globally as well as locally. She said that one marcher told her she no longer feels invisi- ble while another who hadn’t planned to march but did, now sees her community different- ly. Lynch saw hope for the fu- ture. “What I saw happening in the days leading up to the march and 48 hours, it seems like people are using the march as a stepping off point to fur- ther organize and decide how they’re going to respond to the country’s current leadership,” Lynch said. “They’re not going to be comfortable sitting on the sidelines, and that message is defi nitely resounding across the nation and around the world.” THA NK YOU! Time for a Computer Tuneup? Thank you to everyone who helped make the Wallowa Co. Ag. Resource Foundation Scholarship Dinner and Auction a huge success! Spyware Removal • 541-426-0108 103 SW 1st St., Enterprise Restocked! CC Beanie Hats Warm & Stylish! ELECTRICAL & PLUMBING SUPPLIES Fleece-lined Leggings - $12 ELECTRICAL & WATER SYSTEM CONTRACTOR PUMPS • IRRIGATION HARDWARE• APPLIANCE PARTS Stop by today! Open 10am - 5pm daily Uptown Clothing & Accessories in Downtown Joseph 12 S. Main St. • 541-432-9653 208 S. RIVER ST. • ENTERPRISE, OR www.jbbane.com • 541-426-3344 XNLV311510 We Stand Behind Our Buildings Wallowa County HEALTH LINE 519 W. North Street, Enterprise 541.426.3413 Mon-Thurs 9 to Noon/1-5pm; Fri. 9-1 Keycode Entry Weight Room • Cardio Women’s Circuit • Tanning 202 W. Main, Enterprise 541-426-0313 To Give You Peace of Mind To Give You Peace of Mind Morton Buildings is proud to provide its customers with a 50 year snow load warranty with no weight limit and a 5 year wind warranty with no wind velocity limit, including tornado and hurricane strength winds. When Mother Nature bears down on you, isn't it nice to know that your building is backed by the strongest, non-prorated warranty in the industry. If your building has been damaged, your local Morton Buildings Sales Consultant can help. damaged, your local Morton Buildings Sales Consultant can help. Specializing in Anti-Aging Skin Therapy Customized Facials Waxing Services, Brow Sculpting Body Polish-Back Facials High-Perfomance Products 541-398-0759 | Located @ beecrowbee 01 Main Joseph Warren Carlson (o) 208-497-3650 (c) 208-360-4724 Eagle, ID. For details 011 Morton Buildings'warrantyy, including coverage, conact your local Morton Buildings Sales Consultant. Not available on Country Craft , by Morton Buildings. ©2010 Morton Buildings, Inc. A listing of CC licenses available at mortonbuildings.com/licenses.aspx. Ref#043.