Marine Corps & Vietnam Veteran talks about his time of service and what the 4th of July means to him

PARKERSBURG, W.Va. (WTAP) – Wayne Starcher is a Marine Corps and Vietnam Veteran who spent 13 months in Vietnam throughout the warfare in 1966 and 1967.

After graduating from Parkersburg Excessive Faculty in Could of 1965, Starcher enlisted within the Marine Corps and went to Parris Island for bootcamp earlier than being despatched to Vietnam.

Starcher spoke about how connecting with household was robust to consider throughout his time away.

“Properly letters from residence and stuff like that’s the way you related however actually you didn’t have time to essentially give it some thought a complete lot since you are out within the area more often than not. Really your loved ones was the blokes beside of you,” Starcher stated.

Throughout his time in Vietnam he was an infantryman carrying radios and he was additionally a tunnel rat trying out the tunnels for enemies.

After his time in Vietnam, Starcher returned to the US in 1967 and was stationed on the Norfalk Naval Shipyard in Portsmouth, Virginia working in safety element earlier than being discharged in April 1969.

Starcher talked a couple of reminiscence that stands out to him throughout his time of service.

“Properly I had that one time in Vietnam, I used to be carrying a radio on the time. A pal of mine from Bald Knob, West Virginia was standing beside of me and the sniper shot him. I’ll always remember that day it was August the thirteenth 1966,” Starcher recalled.

Starcher says if he had the chance to serve once more he completely would as a result of this nation wants folks to guard their freedom.

He shared what independence day means to him.

“Now, you look again to see what the veterans are doing to maintain this nation free. We gained our independence from England and now we now have women and men all around the world making an attempt to maintain us free. We need to bear in mind them,” Starcher stated.

Starcher is a lifetime member on the Veterans of International Wars Blennerhassett Submit 1212 in Parkersburg.

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