Vietnam Memorial Trip For Our Dad!

Hello friends and family!

I have thought about this fundraiser for a long time now and I have many reasons for wanting to do this for my Dad. He's a great Dad. He's ALWAYS been there for me and my family and often puts his needs second. He helps with my business and he's kind to everyone he meets. On top of all that, he's also a decorated Vietnam Vet (Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star). He has never been to the Vietnam Memorial in Washington DC. He has never seen his friend's name on the wall and the names of all of the other soldiers he shared so much with that didn't make it home. Visiting the Vietnam Memorial in DC would be a trip of a life time for him! I think it would bring him some closure too. Words cannot express how much it would mean to him. The reason I have decided to do this publicly and not privately is to show my Dad how much people appreciate Veterans and how proud we are of him. Vietnam Veterans especially didn't receive a lot of gratitude when they came home. I have heard my Dad mention that many times. If I can pull this off, it will mean so much to him!!!

The $3,000 will include:
- 2 round trip plane tickets for my Dad and the person of his choice
- Hotel Acommodations for two for 3 nights, Restaurants, Tours, Museums, Taxis, etc.

If there is money left over from his trip, or if more than $3,000 is raised it will be donated to a Veteran's Aid group of my Dad's choice or who knows, maybe we can send another Veteran to DC!! Maybe this can be the start of something BIG!! I will update you often!

It's Veteran's Day today and a very fitting day to launch this fundraiser! My Dad, Gary Hartwig, joined the Iowa National Guard in 1967 at the age of 20. His group was activated, he received further training, and was sent to Vietnam in 1969. There he quickly became close friends with a man in his platoon named Akke Timmer. On August 6th, 1969 their lead platoon was engaged in heavy fire in very difficult conditions. My Dad was shot in the ankle and his chest. His friend Akke was shot and killed right next to him. Many others were wounded and killed that day.

I could go on and on about my Dad and his time in Vietnam. He has shared things from those days, but I know there are many things he can't put into words or would like to forget just like all soldiers who have actively fought in battle. Things we could never imagine...

Thanks for taking the time to read this and thanks in advance for your support! Also, thanks to all who have served...past, present, and future!! Again, I will keep you updated! Much love!
Andrea

I'll leave you with a poem my Dad wrote:

MIND WAR
My mind replays Vietnam days…
Young men and older with weapons upon shoulder;
Fatigues stained with salt from the daily sweat.
Their minds absorb images they won’t soon forget.
Together they walk the clicks of their missions.
Separately forming their own opinions.
Why are we here?
Who’s going to die?
Who will be wounded?
Back home, who will cry?
Images of war in my mind;
Is there any way to leave them behind?
The mangled body hanging in a tree…
A friend face down, not far from me…
I get lost in the turmoil of the present day,
And yet there’s an opening, and the war will replay.

Gary Hartwig
C CO, 1st BN 506th Infantry, 101st ABN DIV USARV
Friend of Akke Timmer