Winamac’s Ed Minnick, like many Vietnam veterans, came home from the war feeling alone.

At first, he was reluctant to talk about the horror he saw in Vietnam.

“I always thought I was by myself,” the Navy veteran said.

That was until his brother, Tim, brought him to the “Healing Grounds” of the Howard County Vietnam Veterans Reunion.

“There was so much weight lifted from my heart,” Minnick said Friday during the 26th annual reunion on Ind. 26, 8 miles east of U.S. 31.

“They showed me the way to healing. I’m not alone. We are all brothers.”

Minnick, who served in the Navy’s search and air rescue, hasn’t missed a reunion since.

“This is a super event,” he said after witnessing the opening ceremonies and emotional flag raising.

“Last year, I helped carry the flag,” he said. “This is truly a healing field.”

Opening ceremonies kicked off Friday morning with the annual flag raising and playing of the national anthem, bringing tears to some.

The 22-acre grounds, formerly home to the Howard County Airport, transforms each year into a sea of military flags, tents, campers, motorcycles, Jeeps and thousands of veterans.

The reunions serve as a place for veterans to gather, share stories, meet new and old friends and try to heal the wounds suffered during their years in Vietnam.

Minnick said he saw things most people only see in movies or read about.

“There was all kinds of craziness,” he said. “The craziness of the land, the craziness of the shooting, the craziness of the river. You see a lot of T-shirts with the words ‘All gave some, some gave all.’ That’s why we’re here to celebrate — for those who gave all.”

Jason Catron, 25, Russiaville, has been coming to the reunions since he was a small boy to support his father, Jack, and other Vietnam veterans.

“I love supporting them and do all I can for them,” he said. “I’ve been coming to these since I was 6 or 7.”

His father served in Vietnam in 1969 as part of the Army’s 4th Infantry Division, the same division that captured Saddam Hussein in the War on Terrorism.

“They were called the Saddam Slayers,” Jack said proudly.

The camaraderie and friendship are what keep Jack Catron coming back each year.

“I haven’t missed one,” he said of the reunions. “The crowd — it’s all happiness. Makes you feel relaxed. It’s like being in a firebase. A lot of partying and drinking beer — it’s a good time.”

Dale Jackson, of Spencer, asked, “Where is John McCain?”

“I know why [Barack] Obama is not here, but McCain’s a Vietnam veteran and MIA/POW — he should be here.”

Jackson, who served in the Army’s 101st Airborne in Vietnam from 1969 to 1970, loves the atmosphere the reunion provides.

“We are all friends,” he said sipping a beer. “This is kind of like a big family meeting. It’s nice to see old friends. I’ve seen people from California to New York and from Minnesota to Florida. Everybody comes to see old friends and meet new ones.”

The reunion for Windfall’s Michael Mullins, a Vietnam veteran and author, holds special meaning as he thinks of his son, Michael S. Mullins, who is serving in Iraq.

“He’s done two tours in Afghanistan and is now in Iraq in the weapons platoon,” Mullins said. “He joined right after 9/11. As a parent, I was reluctant about him going, but it’s what he loved and what he wanted to do. All I can do is pray for him and hope to see him again.”

The elder Mullins served in Vietnam from March 1968 to March 1969 as part of Delta Co., 3rd Battalion of the 7th Infantry in the 199th Light Infantry Brigade.

“Being in the infantry, I think about him every day and hope for a word.”

Mullins said his son serves in the same unit as four soldiers from Logansport, who died recently in an explosion in Iraq.

“He knows the price,” he said. “It never goes out of your mind when you have somebody close to you over there.”

Open to all veterans, the reunion continues today and concludes with a church service on Sunday.

Mike Fletcher may be reached at (765) 454-8565 or via e-mail at mike.fletcher@kokomotribune.com



Schedule of events

Today

• 10 a.m.: Opening ceremonies

• 10:20 a.m.: Greetings

• 10:25 a.m.: Veterans Affairs report

• 10:30 a.m.: POW/MIA report

• 10:45 a.m.: Brad Flook of Greentown American Legion

• 11:15 a.m.: Dan Nightingale

• 12:30 p.m.: Jackie Myers

• 1:15 p.m.: Jeff Palmer

• 2:45 p.m.: Russ Chandler

• 4:15 p.m.: John Steer

• 6 p.m.: Surrender Dorothy

• 8:30 p.m.: The Bluz Brothers

Sunday

• 9:30 a.m.: Church services with the Rev. John Steer and Chaplain Dennis Chapman

Note: Entertainment, speakers and events subject to change