“We Remember: Ventura County to Vietnam and Back”, the popular exhibit which has attracted over 8,500 visitors since its opening on April 11, had its closing ceremony this past weekend at the Museum of Ventura County. The ceremony honored those who had lost their lives in Vietnam, surviving veterans, and veterans who had passed away since the war ended.
Over 279 adults and 69 children who were members, veterans, and staff filed in for the occasion. Many veterans were speaking with each other while others found seats in front of the podium.
Stefanie Davis, Director of Marketing, began the ceremony by introducing CEO Pattie Mullins. Mullins had the color guard march out and present their colors, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance. Emotions could be felt throughout as many in the crowd were already crying.
Mullins briefly spoke about how the exhibit had attracted the most visitors ever for a single exhibit since the museum’s opening in 1913. The over 8,500 visitors that have come to see the exhibit are more than anyone at the museum every expected. Anna Bermudez, Curator of Exhibits and Collections, spoke next and immediately became overcome with emotion.
“I never expected it to be as overwhelming as it’s been,” Bermudez said, fighting back tears. “I have met some wonderful and amazing people. Some of you vets I consider friends now. I am forever grateful to have had that opportunity to create this exhibit and to tell your stories.”
Bermudez was thankful to the museum for allowing her to research, write, and help create the exhibit. She also thanked George Sandoval, local filmmaker and owner of WestEnd Productions, who pitched the idea to Bermudez a year and a half ago. Sandoval, a Vietnam veteran and co-curator of the exhibit, also said a couple words.
“Being a filmmaker and a Vietnam vet, one of these things I wanted to do was capture the lives of these veterans because they haven’t been honored, they haven’t been thanked, and they haven’t spoken,” Sandoval said. “My primary goal was to honor the surviving veterans and to honor the 115 who died. Nobody even knows who they were and that’s what blows my mind.”
Steve Bennett, Ventura County First District Supervisor, presented 13 certificates to family members who had lost someone in the Vietnam War. Family members went up and received the certificates with some family’s having as many as nine members present. Carol Fujita was one of the recipients of a certificate for James Watanabe, her brother who died during the war.
“It’s nice and refreshing to see the Vietnam vets honored because they were so mistreated when they did return,” Fujita said. “It’s a long time coming where we actually honor them and pay them the respect that’s due.”
The museum was also the recipient of an American flag from the Capital Flag Program which flew over the United States Capitol on March 18, 2015, at the request of Congresswoman Julia Brownley. A ceremonial wreath was also laid to honor those who were lost and the surviving veterans. Taps, the National Song of Remembrance, was played after the wreath was placed with veterans saluting.Following the ceremony, a short intermission was held where guests were given refreshments and drinks. Guests were then invited inside to watch Sandoval’s two new films.
The first was a 40 minute film which showed all of the veterans Sandoval interviewed. The film showed veterans discussing how they kept themselves sane in Vietnam, losing fellow soldiers during combat, securing areas, being ambushed, cooking, and the long-term issues when they arrived home, such as paralysis and Agent Orange tissue cancer. The second was an 18 minute film honoring the 115 men from Ventura County who died in Vietnam. It showed a picture of the veteran and next to them their name, date of birth, date of casualty, home of record, and their branch of service. This was done for all 115 men and both films received an enormous applause.
Joseph Richardson, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Vietnam Veterans of Ventura County, was honored to attend the ceremony and happy to see that many had taken to the exhibit.
“The two or three months and the ceremonies that we’ve had here it’s given an opportunity for a number of us vets to be recognized and that really feels good,” Richardson said, as his voice waned from emotion. “It’s a healing. To hear the people clap and yell ‘welcome home,’ we didn’t get that. We got the opposite. We were shunned so it’s a big difference.”
“It was such a meaningful exhibit and so important to the community that we really needed to not just close on August 9 but really have a way to celebrate and thank everyone for their support,” Mullins said.
After a year and a half of focusing on the exhibit, Bermudez finds it bittersweet that the exhibit will be closing on August 9. She has made many new friends and learned a lot through the process of speaking with all the different veterans. Bermudez herself had cousins who were “drafted”, but she wasn’t exactly sure what that term meant at the time. Her family suffered three casualties including her cousin, Ignacio Sanchez, who was from Ventura County.
“I don’t want to be too dramatic but I’ll never be the same,” Davis said. “I know the story, but I’ve never seen it from the inside like now so I’m transformed.”
When the exhibit closes, the plaques commemorating the 115 men will be given to as many families as can be found and the artifacts will be returned to their owners.
Directions to the museum:
The Museum is located at 100 E Main Street in downtown Ventura, across the street from Mission San Buenaventura. Free public parking is available in the lot adjacent to the Museum.
Coming from 101 Freeway heading North
Exit right on California Street (exit 70A), stay in the middle lane to go straight onto California Street. Take the 3rd left onto Main Street. Proceed 4 blocks. The Museum will be on the left past the Mission and park.
Coming from 101 Freeway heading South
Exit S. Ventura Avenue (exit 70A) towards Main Street. Follow the curve left passing under the freeway, and straight on to Ventura Avenue. Go 2 blocks and turn right on Main Street. Make the first right into the parking lot next to the Museum.
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The Vietnam Veterans Association of Ventura County posts the colors during the opening ceremonies honoring Veterans and celebrating the Vietnam Exhibit that broke all attendance records for the Museum of Ventura County |
