From April 1966 to March 1971, the men of 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines were deployed all across South Vietnam by order of Congress — set to serve as front-line neutralizers and “consummate professionals,” as they were dubbed, in the Vietnam War.
Five decades later, more than 140 souls from within its company ranks of Headquarters & Service, India, Kilo, Lima and Mike are finding comfort and companionship this week in south western Kentucky — courtesy of a well-scripted family reunion celebrating its 25th anniversary of reuniting, and 14th consecutive year spent at Lake Barkley State Resort Park.
With two Purple Hearts pinned to his hat, and scars from more than 170 stitches closing his wounds, Curtis Eidson held together a Thursday evening fellowship at the Convention Center by handing out plaques carved from his own hands to surviving comrades and those making these annual festivities possible — himself earning warm, endearing praise and presents for his efforts throughout the years.
But none of this week, or the last 25 years, happens if not for two reasons:
The first, an early conversation in a fishing boat.
The second, an intimate discussion with “Babe” Peterson — who had long been seeking answers about his brother Lance Corporal Robert Vernon Peterson, killed in action January 30, 1968.
Since that first “rinky-dink” plaque and impromptu gathering, Eidson said more than 160 families have received the same memorial treatment, while the soldiers still living gather their loved ones and come for relief.
Eidson added more than 350 Purple Hearts hailing from 41 states are in for this week, many of the “0311 rifleman grunts” completing two and three tours of South Vietnam before coming home to a divided country and, later, the 1975 Fall of Saigon.
Among the emotions Thursday: a $15,000 check, plus some extra cash, presented from Col. JD Murray and the unit’s survivors to Gretchen Catherwood — co-founder of the non-profit Darkhorse Lodge in northwest Tennessee.
Considered a no-cost retreat for combat veterans from all branches of the service to come relax and fish on Kentucky Lake, her son, Lance Corporal Alec E. Catherwood, was a member of the 3/5 Kilo Company when, at age 19, he was killed in action October 14, 2010, in Afghanistan.
Murray also relayed personal history from Vietnam, which in 1966 began his 19 months as platoon commander, executive officer and company commander. Two years later, he went back to Vietnam as an advisor with the South Vietnamese Marine Corps — before coming home and burying all of those memories in a box for the garage.
In 2002, Murray said he was alerted to an awakening.
Efraim Arristia, a resident of Trigg County, moved to Cadiz 21 years ago — and wanted to get involved with the community.
This led to a group of friends eventually creating The Friends of Lake Barkley State Resort Park, of which he was president for the first eight years, and a chance meeting with the 3/5 visitors — after cleaning some trails.
In being “with them,” Arristia has been a liaison responsible for making the battalion’s visit even more accommodating — going as far as connecting these veterans with local shops, eateries and activities.
Cadiz Mayor Todd King opened Thursday’s ceremony by delivering a “Key To The City” to Eidson, while Judge-Executive Stan Humphries spent some private time with the group Wednesday.
