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Mynelious Magee was simply 18 years previous and contemporary out of highschool when he was drafted to battle within the Vietnam Conflict.
“They mentioned it is a selection between Military and Marines, I mentioned I select Marines,” mentioned Magee.
Mr. Magee and I had lots to debate throughout the almost two-hour Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. We lastly arrived within the nation’s capital.
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“It is nice to make it right here. I have been wanting to return, but it surely did not excite me a lot for coming and now that I am right here, I really feel nice,” mentioned Magee.
As we made our approach round to the monuments, he informed me about rising up in Columbia, Mississippi, and being known as racist names day by day as he walked to and from faculty. Sadly, overt racism was typical on American bases in Vietnam as effectively.
“It was stunning to me for any person to stroll as much as me and inform me to my face, ‘I would like you to know that I hate (expletive) and I’ll kill you earlier than I go away right here,'” mentioned Magee.
The Vietnam Conflict was the primary American conflict during which Black and white troops weren’t formally segregated. As we approached the King Monument, you could not assist however replicate on his dream of a color-blind society.
“It means quite a bit to me, for me to be the place I’m proper now could be due to him,” mentioned Magee.
Evidently the extra time Black and white troopers spent collectively, the extra they realized what they’d in frequent.
“I had so many mates, we had just a little PX membership not removed from the bottom…they discovered that I used to be managing the membership, I had as many whites in my hut as I did Blacks.”
In accordance with the African American Registry, Blacks had been extra more likely to be drafted to Vietnam than whites. Although comprising 11% of the U.S. inhabitants in 1967, African-Individuals had been 16.3% of all draftees.
“I do know lots of people mentioned we should not be going there and I kinda agree with them as a result of I did not know why I used to be going there,” mentioned Magee.
Mr. Magee and I made our technique to the Vietnam Conflict Veterans Memorial. He reminisced about one among his Vietnam buddies William Magerr III who was killed within the conflict. He was thrilled that we had been in a position to find his title and photograph.
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“Oh man, discovering that man’s title and so they drew up his image for me, that did it! I will by no means see him once more, however on paper, I’ll.”
For the American troopers that did return house (from Vietnam), they typically confronted scorn because the conflict grew to become more and more unpopular. However the fanfare that they did not obtain again then, they actually obtained on this Honor Flight. Mr. Magee even had a complete boy scout troop there with indicators bearing his title!
“I really feel like a star,” mentioned Magee.
If you’re somebody you understand is all for discovering out extra in regards to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight, go to the Stars and Stripes Honor Flight web site.
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