Honoring our veterans and their service: Dennis Greenwalt shares his stories as a veteran

As Veterans Day draws near, community members begin showcasing their support for those who have served our country by hosting assemblies in their honor, placing American flags around homes and businesses and remembering those who sacrificed their lives to ensure our country’s freedom.

Among the residents of Ritzville is 72 year-old Vietnam War veteran Dennis Greenwalt. Born and raised here in the city, Greenwalt had only been graduated from Ritzville High School for a few short years before being drafted into the Army in June 1965.

At the age of 21, he set off to Fort Ord, California to complete basic training and advanced individual training as a radio operator. No orders were cut for him until March 1966, when he was called to serve as a military adviser to the Vietnamese in Saigon, Vietnam.

A colonel, first sergeant, medical assistant and radio operator were the only Americans on site, said Greenwalt. Engineer forces would clear out an area and he and the crew would proceed to set up a small, safe compound area for the troops to reside in, he explained.

Greenwalt said his duties included living with the Vietnamese in the field and having one meal a day together to establish trust between the parties.

Ninety is the number of days he spent in Vietnam. Although he did not witness much action during his time there, Greenwalt expressed his admiration for having the opportunity to visit the country.

“I don’t regret that I went over there, I learned and saw areas of the country I would never had seen otherwise,” explained Greenwalt.

Throughout the course of three months, he traveled to Vou Dat, Vou Xou, Tam Tan, Ham Tan and finished his service in Bien Hoa.

While at the battalion headquarters in Bien Hoa, Greenwalt was appointed the head radio operator. His duties included checking the batteries in the radios and training any new radio operators who arrived.

The National Archives and Records Administration reported nearly 60,000 U.S. military fatal casualties from the Vietnam War, and around 1,600 were reported as missing. These numbers hit home for Greenwalt, as he remains unsure if some of his friends from the service made it home safely.

One interesting aspect of the war he remembers is establishing nicknames for the troops to avoid using real names. This also made it difficult for him to search for the status of his friends prior to the war.

In March of 1969, Greenwalt returned to Ritzville and was honorably discharged from the Army for having less than 90 days left on his enlistment.

After being home for only a month, he opened a letter from Eastern Washington State College (EWSC) requesting a military presentation from him for his service. Upon arrival at EWSC, he received the Army Commendation Medal, which he is very proud of.

He continues to serve his community by being an active volunteer and quartermaster for the Veterans of Foreign War (VFW).

Each year, students in nationwide contests for grades third through 12, write essays with topics pertaining to Veterans Day for members of the local VFW to judge.

The local winners advance to the state level where they attempt to advance to the international competition.

At the international level, nine to 12 students have the opportunity to win a $30,000 scholarship.

The essays are heartwarming to Greenwalt, he explained. Reading them brings him joy because they allow him to feel a sense of additional accomplishment and pride for his service.

Greenwalt expressed his excitement for Veterans Day by stating he would be present at the Lind-Ritzville Veterans Day assembly hosted by the high school’s Associated Student Body (ASB) on Nov. 8, which he attends each year.

“I enjoy going to the school. I really appreciate the effort they put out,” said Greenwalt about the Lind-Ritzville High School ASB.

Aside from Veterans Day, him and his wife Iris were the first residents to begin the annual event of placing flags at the community cemetery in honor of all those who have given their lives for their country including the war veterans buried there for Memorial Day.

The couple said they continue to partake in the event each year because it is important for the community to support veterans not only on national holidays, but everyday. Without our veterans, we would not be privileged with the freedom and opportunities we have today, explained Iris.

Greenwalt remains humble about his service because he understands how fortunate he is to have been stationed away from the active battle zones. He expressed his gratitude to the soldiers who fought in the northern regions of the country where many lost their lives, were captured and imprisoned or obtained life-altering injuries.

“I am especially proud to be recognized for this honor, but there were a lot more that were over there and I think they should be honored also,” he said, “Anybody that has served, whether combat or not, should be proud to have served their country. In doing so, sign up for the American Legion or the Veterans of Foreign Wars and show your patriotic pride for this community.”

Community members can showcase their support for those who have served the country by attending the Lind-Ritzville Veterans Day Assembly on Tuesday, Nov. 8, at 1:30 p.m. in the Gilson Gym. All residents and veterans are invited to the event and refreshments will be available for veterans prior to the assembly.