Reunion Jitters

By Gary L. Noller

September 2007

My wife and I had a great time at the ADVA national reunion in Buffalo, NY. We met old friends and made new ones. We are already making plans for the 2008 reunion in Jacksonville, FL.

A veteran attending his first ADVA reunion in Buffalo asked me if I was attending my first reunion. I replied, “No, this is my 18^th consecutive year.”

It could have been my 20^th consecutive year but I did not go to the first two reunions held after I joined the ADVA. The main reason I did not go was because I did not know what to expect. I had a fear of the unknown.

But I wanted to meet other Americal veterans so I made the leap and attended my first reunion in 1990. I hedged on the events and only attended the Saturday night banquet. I had finally broken the ice. Most of the attendees were WWII veterans. Vietnam veterans at the banquet barely filled a table of ten. We got along very well.

The second year was easier for me. I knew I would see some of the same people that I met the first year. After the third year all my fear was gone. I was one of the “regular” attendees.

I always enjoy visiting with veterans attending their first reunion. In particular, I am interested in how the reunion compares with what they thought they would experience. In many instances veterans have told me that they got “cold feet” on the way to the reunion they almost turned around and went back home. One even went as far to say, “I would have went back home but I did not know what to tell my wife about why I did not go to the reunion. So I came.”

But these same veterans also say how glad they are that they attended the reunion and that they want to come again. Far from being a bad experience, the reunion is redeeming and a lot of fun.

So why do we Vietnam veterans have the jitters about attending our first reunion? I suppose some of it is a natural fear of being all alone. But I think other circumstances contribute to a feeling of being on the outside.

Many unfavorable myths have been created about those who served in Vietnam. We came home and for the most part we went into hiding. It was only after the opening of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 1982 that many of us began to address our status as veterans.

All too often a Vietnam veteran feels that he is the only “normal” one. He knows the popular stories about Vietnam veterans do not apply to him. He does not know how he will act around other Vietnam veterans or how they will act towards him.

After attending 18 ADVA reunions I can definitely state that there is no reason to be apprehensive about whom one will meet at a reunion. Attendees come from all walks of life and all have an enthusiastic outlook on life. The come to reunions to share their lives with others and to have fun.

There is some talk about the time that we were in the Army. That is natural- we are veterans and military service is common to us all. But we do not go into a closed room and play with G.I. Joe action figures. Many veterans bring their spouses and children and make it a family event.

The single most important benefit that I take away from reunions is the friends that I make. They include WWII veterans and Vietnam veterans. I can literally travel from Massachusetts to California, from Oregon to Florida, and never eat a meal on my own. All I would have to do would be to call a familiar ADVA member and make arrangements for a mini-reunion of our own.

If you have never attended an ADVA reunion but want to I encourage you to do it in 2008 in Jacksonville, FL. Special arrangements will be made to greet and welcome first time guests. We want to see you there.

If you want more information about the reunion go to www.americal.org/reunion.shtml. You will find details about lodging, events, registration, and key contacts. There is also a description of what people do at the reunion and what you can expect to see. Make your plans now and join us in Jacksonville .