The Official Voice of Vietnam Veterans of America, Inc. ®
An organization chartered by the U.S. Congress
September/October 2002
LEADERSHIP CONFERENCELuminaria: Remembering Fallen Warriors
BY FRANCISCO MUNIZ III
Many programs have been initiated by Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America (AVVA) in support of VVA, AVVA, and within local communities. This year's Remembrance Ceremony was spearheaded by AVVA Region 7 Director Patsy Varnell from Oklahoma.During a visit to Tucson in March, she remembered a ceremony that is part of the culture of the Southwest, and she saw an opportunity to incorporate this special program into the VVA Leadership Conference. Many Native Americans, Hispanics, and Anglo Southwesterners use "Luminaria" to remember and honor people. A small paper bag is weighted with sand, and a lighted candle is placed inside. The luminaria are put in a circle to remember loved ones. Varnell would like to have the ceremony incorporated into national, state, and chapter events.
"Although the ceremony is a special time for remembrance," Varnell said, "it doesn't stop. Remembrance is perpetual." After the ceremony, participants were encouraged to take their luminaria with them. Due to the drought and the fear of fires, glow sticks were substituted for candles. They remained lit for hours after the ceremony.
Ohio State Council Vice President James Kuschel introduced his close friends who led the ceremony, David and Shirley Tsosie. They became friends in Cleveland. When Tsosie retired, he was called back to the old ways.
Drafted at 15, Tsosie received two Purple Hearts and the Silver Star while serving in Korea. "I was to parachute over enemy lines but something happened. I ended up on the front line in a half-track running over fallen warriors."
"As I looked up, eye contact was made with an enemy soldier, who slit my throat."
The soldier died; Tsosie did not. This wasn't his only injury. He received a total of six bullet wounds. He was taken to a MASH unit and then sent to a hospital for three months. Then he received a medical discharge. "I always wondered why this all happened to me. Now I know," he said.
His answer came in the form of the Eagle Staff. Families of fallen warriors asked him to take care of their warriors' eagle feathers. When Tsosie asked what he was to do with them, their answer was simple: "You will know when the time comes."
He told those in attendance: "It belongs to all of you warriors. It was blessed and dedicated by the Sioux People. Thank all of you who have been in the service."
Afterwards, some participants discussed this new ceremony. Kuschel said: "This is the first time that this program was held, and it was to remember the fallen warriors, POWs, MIAs, and other individuals, such as those lost in the 9/11 terrorist attack." He felt that the program brought the members of VVA and AVVA much closer.
Connie Nieciecki, Chapter 826 liaison, tried to explain her feelings, but her tears demonstrated how she felt. She said so many individuals had been forgotten and that this was an opportunity to remember them. She had many family members, she explained, including brothers-in-law, uncles, and cousins, who had made the supreme sacrifice in service to the nation.
Walt and Val Hendricksen from New York agreed that the ceremony was very moving and emotional. They said that it brought unity among those present and should be implemented within VVA chapters and state councils.
Connie Steers, treasurer of VVA Chapter 82, Nassau County, New York, and his wife, Cherie, listed the names of 17 chapter members and dedicated luminaria in remembrance of them. He stated that it was a way "to remember our loved ones"
Cornelia Nieciecki contributed to this article.
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