Remarks by the Three SBSA Speakers SBSA President Raul Herrera's Welcome Address Distinguished military, esteemed Swift Boat Family, ladies and gentlemen -- on behalf of the Officers and Board of Directors of the Swift Boat Sailors Association, I thank you for your presence here today. We are delighted this morning to also have in our presence several Honor Crew Families. I am certain that my position on the following is equally shared by all of our Association membership … you are very much a part of our Swift Boat Family … Welcome Home!   I take this opportunity to recognize the exceptional effort put forth by members of the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Foundation Board, numerous SBSA members and volunteers in maintaining this living tribute, PCF-104 not withstanding.  A well deserved Bravo Zulu salute is also extended to HTC Lawless and SIMA personnel as well as Small Craft Repair Facility personnel for their invaluable contribution to the Memorial as a whole, but in particular for their on going restoration and upkeep efforts on PCF 104.   We also applaud Command Master Chief Bob Barnett and personnel from Naval Coastal Warfare Group One for their enthusiastic hospitality.  They have assembled the static display of our modern day coastal warfare assets and will later be taking us for a spin around Glorietta Bay. We salute you!   We have now come full circle. Naval Base, Coronado is where some of our most impressionable memories of our youthful days began.  Aside from a limited number of high school friendships or an old neighborhood chum, no other non-immediate family bond exists that is as strong and profound as that of our Swift Boat Brotherhood.   And so, today, on this solemn occasion and on this hallowed ground – the Vietnam Unit Memorial, we muster to honor the memory of our brothers still on patrol and of fellow Swifties that have since joined that elite crew.   Although we’ve come to pay respect to our Honor Crewmen, I invite you to join me in saluting the memory and valor of fellow South Vietnam Swift Boat Brothers who also paid the ultimate sacrifice ... We Remember   WWII Silver Star recipient and actor James McEachin says it best, I believe, in his film short, Old Glory.  I quote: "I say once more, always and forever, etched deep in the vault of memories, there is a road called Home. Sometimes that old road rises like notes from a distant trumpet. ‘Where are you?’ it sounds. From consecrated grounds, you answer. 'I’ve hoisted Old Glory and I’m on my way ... I’m on my way ... Home.’ ”    Welcome Home Honor Crewmen, Welcome Home!     And now, ladies and gentlemen, the President of the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Foundation, Mr. Ken McGhee. Remarks by VUMMF President Ken McGhee Ken acknowledged: Admiral Gehman    Admiral Hoffman Captain Galani, Commander Naval Base Coronado The Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument, which includes the Wall and the representative Brown Water Navy boats, got it’s beginning at the 1996 SBSA Reunion in San Diego. That was my first reunion since retirement from the Navy and I met several shipmates from Coastal Division Twelve.  A year later,  Swifty Neil Geis’ son, then a Navy Lieutenant Commander, spotted a Swift Boat in a salvage yard in Bangor Washington. Neil notified a several people one of whom contacted me and asked for help in acquisition of the boat and getting an opportune lift to San Diego and finding a place to display the boat. That began an eight year odyssey resulting in the dedication of the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument in May 2005.   The details, and the problems encountered along the way, could fill a book. Let it suffice to say that the SBSA stepped up to the plate from the very beginning, providing almost ten thousand dollars to transport PCF 104 to San Diego by commercial truck when an opportune lift by the Navy fell through.   At one juncture a Gamewarden member introduced the concept of the three boats and the wall, which was subsequently approved by the Navy.   In June 1999 a Memorandum of Understanding was signed with the Navy giving authorization for this site and the establishment of the Memorial.   The “working party” Swiftys, from the very beginning, were involved in every phase of PCF 104 restoration, pouring the pads for the boats and the complex operation of constructing the forms for the Memorial Wall.   By November 2000, the pads had been poured and PCF 104 had completed its initial restoration and, along with this site, was ready for dedication on Veteran’s Day 2000.   The combined group of SBSA, Gamewarden and Mobile Riverine Force Vietnam veterans continued construction of the wall and restoration of the boats.   The next six years, including incorporation of the Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Fund, involved some internal rocks and shoals, but the dedication of many steadfast individuals, mostly Swiftys, led to the dedication of the Memorial in 2005.   In a lengthy project such as this, there were bound to be personnel changes. Some left for health reasons, some left because of the internal conflicts and some moved out of the area.   There were also two very dedicated Swiftys from the beginning of the project who passed on. John Branca was a sparkplug who kept the project moving. He passed on in November 2003. Carl “Hank” Hanker also embodied the dedication required to “geterdone.” Hank passed on suddenly last year. Both he and John Branca are missed and are with us today in spirit.   While some have left us, new people have come aboard and provided labor and support in many areas. I ask the working party Swiftys here today to stand and be recognized. Without any of them, you would not see PCF 104 and the Memorial Wall and grounds as they stand today. {The requested members of the audience stand and are recognized}   Three SBSA presidents - Jim Thomas, Tommy "Trees" Forrest and Raul "Bean" Hererra - have been very supportive throughout.   Jim Thomas signed the initial commitment for the SBSA to participate in the Memorial Project.   Tom Forrest led a fund raising effort which resulted in several thousand dollars for the Memorial Fund.   Raul Herrera has continued to be very supportive of the Memorial.    I would like to personally thank the SBSA Board of Directors and the members of the SBSA for their support. The Vietnam Unit Memorial Monument Fund board is made up primarily of Swiftys, without whom this project would not have been completed.   it is a pleasure to have you here today, particularly the families of Swift Boat sailors who died in vietnam.   We hope you find this memorial a fitting tribute to their service and sacrifice.   Thank you. Remarks by SBSA Treasurer Gene Hart Honored guests and Swift Boat crews. Just over a year ago we lost a remarkable leader and shipmate, Thomas G. Forrest. Tommy had fought a long and valiant battle against  cancer. He was known to his many friends and family as Tom, Tommy or as many of us here today called him “Trees.”   I was asked shortly after Tommy passed away to describe him. Without hesitation I responded with one word - FRIEND. He was that and much more: A loving husband to Marguerite, who called him a “man’s man,” a loving son, brother and uncle to his family ... and a fisherman.   He was dedicated to his fellow Vietnam Veterans and worked for their benefit wherever he lived. In 1999 Tom was serving as Chairman of the Swift Boat Sailors Association Board of Directors when unforeseen circumstances caused several key officers and Directors to resign their positions.  Tommy grabbed the helm in both hands and reached out to several Association members for help, appointing them to fill the vacant positions ... and the rest is history.   Tom’s unwavering passion for and dedication to The Swift Boat Sailors Association is the prime reason it has grown to become what it is today. Over the years, Tommy poured blood, sweat, tears and his own money into the making of this Association. He was a key player in bringing to reality two major projects over the years. The first is this sacred ground and Memorial where we are gathered today. The second was the creation of the Vietnam Combatant Craft Crewman insignia. Tommy spearheaded the effort. He persuaded the leadership of the other Brown Water Navy organizations to sign on board the effort to secure official approval for this insignia. His perseverance took him all the way to the Office of the Chief of Naval Operations. Unable to persuade the CNO to approve the insignia as an official Navy warfare device, Tommy launched one last effort, as he battled with cancer, and received approval of the design for a commemorative insignia. I believe in my heart that Tommy held on as long as he did to get this project completed. He felt he owed it the Swift Boat crews. I proudly wear this insignia today as a tribute to my friend, Tom Forrest.   Several years back Tommy began a tradition of recognition and remembrance of our shipmates who have made their final crossing of the bar since our last reunion. It is my honor to continue that tradition today.   Please keep these brave warriors in your thoughts. I know they, along with Tommy, are here today. Edward J. Chimera Andrew G. Miller John D. Davis Charles E. Vessey Grover L. Handley Anthony W. Zoske Carl E. Hanker William D. Hart Wallace M. Kelley William T. Langham