Gene Reece: Army Veteran and Honor Guard (and wife Vicki too!)

 

 

Gene Reece

  Imagine you are standing in an open campsite, far from the familiar roads, stores, churches, and conveniences of home and you witness a helicopter descending and dangling beneath it an ice cream truck!

    Gene Reece, Vietnam service Army veteran does not have to imagine. He remembers quite clearly and with a smile on his face as he told me of the incident during the late 1960s when he was serving in Vietnam.

patches

photos from the camp

Gene, proud volunteer for the Army, August 21, 1966-August 22, 1969, has other service stories, some describing actual combat, but that story about the ice cream truck is far too compelling to allow to be left un-shared. It is one of those images worthy of a scene in a movie. Yes, imagine a movie about the Vietnam War, the opening scene as movie title and production credits role and an Army helicopter lands an ice cream truck on a dry patch of ground, stirring up dust.

    Gene joined the Army to work in electronics. He wanted to serve in the signal corps. But, as happens in the chaos of war, his squad wound up in battle action in the Tet Offensive., with him as sergeant.

Gene was proud to serve and continues to be proud of that service.

I think we all should be proud of Gene for his willingness to be placed in such danger on behalf of America!

Gene continues to be faithful in service as he participates in funeral Honor Guard. He explains that each deceased service member, upon request of the family, gets a 21 gun salute.

Honor Guard

As I sometime officiate the funerals of service folk, I have seen the Honor Guard present, with great dignity, an American flag to the family.

Gene continues to bring honor, not only to himself and deceased service members, but also to the flag he defended during the 1960s!

   But you know, Gene looks good here because Vicki, his wife, does an excellent job of “putting him together!”

Gene and Vicki

   Vicki is very supportive of Gene and his activities.

Vicki serves as a smile-sporting greeter at the Willow Creek United Methodist Church in Mishawaka Indiana. She assists as a Communion steward and as prayer-chain coordinator.

Vicki hopes to greet you!

People like Gene and Vicki make things happen, hold things together, and pull things forward!

Let’s give a round of applause for Gene and Vicki!!!

In closing I would like to report that Gene said he and his whole camp had much fun eating ice cream upon the arrival of the truck in Vietnam during the 1960s!