I can still see with my mind’s eye a lot of fool things I did without thinking. Comes to mind sometime early into 1970 while serving with River Patrol Group SS, working off the YRBM 16 (Yard Repair Berthing and Messing) Barge; tethered out in the middle of the Mekong River, not far off was the village of Chau Doc and the mouth of the Vente Canal.

Both us and South Vietnamese were existing on the YRBM 16 and come time to go ashore, one just waited for the next patrol out and was dropped off in the village.

I was on a 35 ft. river patrol boat not far off from the YRBM 16 when an 18-ft. Kener ski barge (outboard motor boat) left for patrol. Armed to the teeth and with as many South Vietnamese sailors going ashore for some leisure time as it would hold.

Being one watching everything on the river, I noticed not long after it left the 16, the engine (outboard motor) sparked up, then caught fire. Some of the party on that boat decided it was time to bail out and face the river. The rest of the crew (undecided) waited ‘til the tank (gasoline) caught fire and followed suit.

Those sailors, being born on the river and all, knew what to do…took up with the current and made do ‘til picked up…with one exception of two sailors hangin’ on to the bow rope. Bam, boom, pott, pott, ping, and other such noises almost drownin’ out the caterwaulin’ of these two sailors hangin’ on, smoke billowing from the burning fiberglass.

Decision time was at hand. Being the only U.S. person on board a Vietnamese boat, I could only advise. Kind of requesting everyone on board to take cover and come close in, throw a line over and drag them two sailors off a ways to bring them safely on board. Advice or no advice, the crew was having no part of it. What was going on in that boat was a better part of Hades and I couldn’t really fault them.

Takin’ matters in my own hands, or should I say the good Lord’s, I just stripped down to bare essentials (at least I thought), fumbling with the laces on my boots. Can’t remember if my heart was racing or completely stopped.

I hit that river head on, not taking into account the current and the combat boot socks I didn’t take off. I had about one and one half foot of limp wool hangin’ off my feet. Until I wrestled with the current and pulled them socks off, I wasn’t for sure who was in more trouble – me or them two sailors hangin’ onto that burning boat!

Once the socks were off, it didn’t take but a few minutes (I thought it was an hour) to make up the distance I lost down river (offing the socks). Then a few more to get to the burning boat from where I started.

Here I was hangin’ on, both other parties dong the same; the pain on their faces, I was for sure resulted from a grenade or fired off ammunition in the burning boat above. You’d know it…the boat crew did what I told them to do at first. Just wouldn’t do to say what I thought at that time, takin’ account of the position I was in. They throwed us a line O.K., but one of the gentlemen I was helpin’ decided he wasn’t stickin’ around any longer. He takes the line, leavin’ me and the other just hangin’…boom, bam, and whatnot still going on and being aware of the heat and smoke. Making another pass was necessary to extract us from the floating inferno.

Can’t remember just how I got back on board our boat, but when we were clear and takin’ stock, no persons had a scratch. Them two sailors, out of a dozen, couldn’t swim!
I guess hindsight is, “if you’re going to be a sailor, learn to swim.” “And if you swim…take your socks off!” In my mind’s eye, it still feels good to do what I did.

November 29 through December 3 of 2001 were momentous days in Port O’Connor as the Traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial was on display at King Fisher Beach and was visited by thousands. The following report, compiled by Joyce Rhyne and written by Margaret Jennings was published in the December 14, 2001 issue of Dolphin Talk. We hope it brings back the memory of that great occasion to those who were privileged to be there, and gives a glimpse of the profound affect “The Wall” has on millions.

The Incredible Wall

The weather did not cooperate for the advent of the Vietnam Traveling Wall in Port O’Connor. Two exquisitely planned outdoor ceremonies were moved to the school gym to escape the cold wind, rain, and generally disagreeable conditions. But perhaps this only served to remind participants that the men and women they had come together to honor did not have that option.

The Opening Ceremony:

The opening ceremony was held at 10:00 a.m. on Thursday, November 29, 2001. In addition to local and visiting dignitaries, it was attended by busloads of area school students.

The Jackson/Roosevelt Elementary School (Port Lavaca) Choir performed several patriotic songs, and the members of the physical education enrichment class performed a ribbon routine while the choir sang one of its songs.

Kenneth Finster, County Commissioner Precinct 4, was Master of Ceremonies. In his opening remarks, he said, “I hope you feel the positive power of The Wall.” Referring to Henry Pongratz, who was instrumental in bringing The Wall to Port O’Connor, he remarked, “If Henry wants to bring the Battleship Texas to Port O’Connor, he will figure out how to get it down here.”

Pastor Kim of Seadrift Catholic Church spoke about his involvement during the war in Saigon.

Henry Pongratz spoke briefly, asking people to, “Remember, not just a name, but a person doing a job for his country.”

County Judge Arlene Marshall reviewed some staggering statistics: Vietnam was America’s longest war; there are over 58,000 names on The Wall; the average age of the solder was 19. She added, “It was the vision and determination of Henry Pongratz that brought The Wall here.”

The main address was by Col. William (Dixie) Howell, USAF (Ret), who has lived permanently in Port O’Connor since 1987. He was the last commanding officer of Matagorda Island Air Force Base when it closed June 30, 1978. He flew in the first B52 Raid (30 ships) over South Vietnam on June 18, 1965. He reminded his audience, “The Wall That Heals is called that because of the way returning vets were treated. Patriotism as we know it today didn’t exist back then. You and I have a duty to keep it going.”

Posting and retiring of the colors was performed by Calhoun County JJAEP. Leroy Belk led the Pledge of Allegiance. Pastor Kim gave the invocation and the Rev. Janna Sandidge of Seadrift United Methodist Church gave the benediction.

Memorial Service:

A community-wide memorial service honoring veterans of all wars and the men and women who are now serving our country was held at 10:00 a.m. on Sunday, December 2, at the First Baptist Church.

Justice of the Peace Nancy Pomykal, who chaired the publicity committee and who worked with unflagging dedication throughout the planning of this project, introduced the opening speaker, US Congressman Ron Paul.

Paul believes that the Constitution was divinely inspired. He said, “It is time to rethink what freedom really means. Men and women put time, effort and their lives in defense of liberty. If we follow precepts of our Constitution, we can have our liberty without giving up our freedom.”

Judge Pomykal then recognized VIP’s in attendance: Texas State Rep. Gene Seaman and his wife Ellen; Commissioner Kenneth Finster, Joe Krenek, president of the POC Chamber of Commerce, and his wife Theresa; Mrs. Linda Anderson (Linda and her husband John are site managers who travel with The Wall); General Rutherford and his wife, and Henry Pongratz.

Dorothy Shafernocker of Fort Worth, who was here with the War Museum, read two poems written by her son, whose name appears on the wall. (There wasn’t a dry eye in the house.)

The message was brought by Pastor Erny McDonough of Fisherman’s Chapel, who chose the 23rd Psalm as his text.

Pastor Gerry Davis of First Baptist Church gave the invocation. Special music was provided by Doyle Adams, Debbie Michalek and Erny McDonough.

The Closing Ceremony:

The grandest and most formal of the events was the closing ceremony held on Sunday, December 2, beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The Master of Ceremonies, Dr. Robert Wolters, introduced the Air Force Band of the West, Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, and the audience was treated to a 25-minute concert.

Colors were posted by a Color Guard consisting of all members of all branches of military service. After the Pledge of Allegiance, the invocation was given by Brother Tim Smith, First Assembly of God Church, Seadrift.

The Master of Ceremonies recognized VIP’s present. Texas State Representative Gene Seaman spoke briefly. Referring to the terrorism situation, he said, “We’re brought back to our roots: God and country.”

The principal speaker of the afternoon was General Robert Rutherford (Retired). He pointed out that there have been 12 major wars in the U.S. since its beginning. Five of these have been in the general’s lifetime. He said: “We believe, above all else, in freedom from tyranny. What would our lives be like if for the past 200 years America had not committed its wealth, resources and energy to freedom?”

He received a standing ovation.

While the band played a medley of theme songs for each branch of service, each veteran present was asked to stand when his music was played. All branches were well represented, and the applause was thunderous.

The Rev. Don Casper, First Baptist Church, Seadrift, gave the benediction, and the band furnished a musical finale.

Dixie Howell receiving a medal

Originally published in Dolphin Talk, May 14, 2004

As you all know, Matagorda Island was once an Air Force Base. What you may not know is that many men who were stationed on the Island came back to live in Port O’Connor. W.C. “Dixie” Howell is one of those men.

W.C. “Dixie” Howell of Port O’Connor was assigned to Matagorda Island in 1974 in the RBS Squadron. Shortly after, it was announced that the base would close. Although he received orders to go to SAC Headquarters in Omaha, NE, he was asked to stay on as Matagorda Island Base Commander, which he did. He stayed in this position for four years. This is where he first started, as many who were stationed on the Island did, developing a love for Port O’Connor. As things came to a head, the base was closed and turned over to the Department of the Interior on June 30, 1978.

Dixie is a Viet Nam Veteran. He actually went to college to play baseball, which was his passion. As he said, “that’s all I wanted to do was play baseball.” But he received an injury while in his sophomore year, which cut his baseball career short. He actually got his nickname “Dixie” while playing baseball and it stuck with him throughout his life. After graduation, he joined the United States Air Force and became a Navigator. He went to ECM School and NAV School. He and his lovely bride, Diane, married in 1959. From there he went to Biloxi, MS and went to Electronic Warfare School and was assigned to B-52-F models aircraft at Carswell Air Force Base in Fort Worth, TX.

Dixie was a Navigator. Back then, the B-52 crew had six people: a pilot, a co-pilot, a navigator, a radar navigator, and an electronic counter measures (ECM) operator. As he stated in this interview, “You don’t defend an airplane with guns anymore; you have jammers and equipment to break radar when radar is locked in on you.” His job was to break the radar. He couldn’t even see out of the airplane. He must have done an excellent job because he is living here in Port O’Connor today and flew with the same crew for four years.

Dixie flew the second and third B-2 missions over Viet Nam in July of 1965 and consequently came home in December after flying 40-50 missions. After a short break, he started flying as a Tanker Navigator on refueling missions over Viet Nam. In December of 1971, he went back into B-52-G models on a ready crew and ended up in Guam, where he flew until the end of the war. He flew over 200 missions out of Guam. He speaks of the Viet Nam War with great passion. He said, “I felt like we were on the verge of winning the war when we pulled out.”

Dixie came back to the States and got his assignment on Matagorda Island. He retired from the Air Force in 1979. He continued his education and received four Air Force Commendation Medals: the Distinguished Flying Cross with two Oak Leaf Clusters, Combat Crew Medal, and numerous other medals “just for surviving!” He stated that, “Medals are really a pain. Every time you received a medal, you had to buy a miniature one to wear on your uniform. Then when you were awarded another medal, you had to take all of the miniature ones off of uniform to fit the new one in place.” He met many people in the military and it gave him a real feel of camaraderie. He and Diane still enjoy attending yearly reunions.

Dixie has been retired, again, since 1994. He tries to go fishing every day. He says that Port O’Connor is the nicest place in the world to live. “A lot of people ask me why I live down here and I tell them I love the people, and, of course, the excellent fishing. I also love the pace of life.”

W.C. “Dixie” Howell is just one of the unique and interesting residents of Port O’Connor who returned here to live after being stationed on Matagorda Island. Dixie is full of good stories, fishing and otherwise. So, next time you see him, stop and talk for a while.

The Other War

Wars are usually tallied and broken down into statistics that are logical and make complete sense, Such as a count of the dead on both sides or exactly how many rounds of ammunition were used.

Sadly enough, for some who went abroad to fight for our country, the war continued when they returned home.

Many veterans of the Vietnam era can claim being a part of one of the most polarizing events in the history of the world. Upon returning to the United States, some veterans were disgraced by being linked to violent atrocities. They were accused of murder, rape and needless destruction, one more controversy in a war that would shape the nation as well as what we think about warfare and it’s motives.

However, later we would come to find out that for a number of Vietnam Vets, reminders were not necessary as the events they participated and witnessed would haunt them for decades.

They were victims of PTSD, or Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

Some would turn to drugs and alcohol to quiet the inner torment within, with most completely unaware that the war was a part of the issue. Aggression, being arrested or incarcerated, failed marriages and broken homes were the new enemies, while the former soldier’s own mind was the new battlefield.

The United States Offices of Veterans Affairs has stated that an estimated eight-hundred thousand plus, Vietnam veterans may suffer from the disease and many more who have since passed had lived with the condition until death.

However, this column is not about sad statistics and useless fancy wordplay, it is about the fact that with help, many symptoms of PTSD can be solved through medications to battles the depressive feelings, therapy to help the victim cope, and exposure therapy.

The hardest part may be recognizing the symptoms and after there is a fair probability that PTSD may be present, getting the affected person to seek help.

More importantly, many veterans and family members of afflicted veterans have no idea where to go to start getting help.

First stop would be the aforementioned Department of Veterans Affairs, who offer a range of services for those who qualify.

Those services include counseling for both the afflicted and the family members of the afflicted, help getting the proper medication and numerous classes that help deal with Sleep loss, anger and stress.

To contact the Department of Veterans affairs, either visit them on the web at: http://www.ptsd.va.gov/public/pages/help-for-veterans-with-ptsd.asp

Or if you are a concerned family member you can call the Vet’s Center’s twenty-four hour hotline, which is staffed by veterans all year long: 1-877-WAR-VETS (1-877-927-8387)

No matter how long it has been since that soldier first returned home or has seen the images and memories that caused his issues, it is never too late for a veteran to receive help.

Throughout this issue as we recall our past heroes of freedom, remember that the price they paid was not to be free themselves.