Rock Island Today

Savanna Mayor Tony McCombie was one of over 150 attendees at the National Vietnam Veterans Day commemorative service on March 26.

Hosted by the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 299, the event was held inside the Rock Island Arsenal's Heritage Hall. The ceremony is part of the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, which began on May 28, 2012, and remains active through Nov. 11, 2025. Roughly 58,000 U.S. troops lost their lives during the war.

“It’s very humbling to see how these veterans have given so much and now they are getting their appreciation -- obviously way too late,” McCombie recently told Rock Island Today. “It is really nice to see the public so supportive of these veterans.”

McCombie’s father was a career man in the Army who served in Vietnam.

Highly decorated Vietnam veteran and Chapter 299 President Bill Albracht was the master of ceremonies for the event. Albracht became the youngest Green Beret captain in Vietnam at age 21 and was awarded three Silver Stars during the conflict.

Following the indoors ceremony, attendees moved outside where members of Chapter 299 presented special honors to the family of Army Specialist Gale Vogler of East Moline. Vogler was killed in action on March 11, 1967. Among the family members in attendance were Gale's mother, Marge Vogler, and his daughter, Ann Hos, who was born two months following the loss of her father. Veterans presented the family with a folded flag and Illinois Rep. Neil Anderson presented a shadow box displaying Vogler's numerous awards, including the Bronze Star, the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

“It has got to be painful for his wife to relive what felt similar to a military funeral,” McCombie said. “We had ‘Taps,’ a rifle salute and the folding of the flag during the ceremony -- personally, it was hard not to relive my own father’s funeral. It was a nice touch to have a local family recognized.”

Rock Island Garrison Commander Colonel Elmer Speights provided the opening comments for the ceremony and welcomed all attendees.

“We need to ensure that these people know the memory of their loved ones will be carried on and not forgotten, and that their sacrifices will be honored,” he said. “Future Americans of every race, creed, color, will maintain the tradition of defending our nation -- no matter what the cost.” 

Other speakers at the event were quick to remind attendees that many veterans returning from Vietnam were not treated with the respect that is so richly deserved and enjoyed by today’s service men and women.

“We all know the frustration many Americans displayed over the Vietnam War, and it was taken out on the noble veterans who were drafted to serve their country,” Michael Tucker, commanding general of First Army, said.

Major General Kevin O'Connell, senior mission commander at Rock Island Arsenal, stated that those who are not old enough to remember the war would have trouble understanding the difficulties faced by soldiers returning from Vietnam.

“It's hard to imagine what it must have felt like to come from war and being treated so poorly,” he said. “But since Desert Storm and 9/11, Americans have seen the error in their misguided view of our Vietnam veterans, and to this day, great strides have been made to demonstrate proper respect and appreciation for the sacrifice and dedication these veterans displayed on behalf of this great nation.” 

McCombie shared the two generals’ sentiments.

“It is appalling to think about how the veterans were treated: they were put into that place by our government -- certainly no fault of theirs,” she said. “They stepped to the plate to protect us and fight for us; I think it is long overdue that the veterans are finally getting their thank-yous. It’s a bit sad to me to think that so many departed this earth without receiving that gratitude.”