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Vietnam vet still works to keep his men united

A group of former soldiers meets every other year for a reunion that serves as a kind of therapy.

By MARYAN PELLAND
Published November 29, 2005

	[Times photo: Maurice Rivenbark]
	Ray Wing and his wife, Michelle, organize a reunion of a Vietnam veterans group called the Sugarmillers every other year. The Sugarmillers For more on the Sugarmillers or the reunions they hold, call Ray and Michelle Wing (352) 688-5863. The Sugarmillers' Web site is sugarmillers.com.

SPRING HILL - The Vietnam War will never stop replaying in the minds of some veterans, and Ray Wing is one of those.

Wing of Spring Hill spent nearly 15 years in the Army - 21/2 in Vietnam - and the rest of his life dealing with issues surrounding that war. He still struggles to help his men by keeping the former soldiers in contact with each other and organizing reunions every other year.

As an Army captain, Wing served in one of those lesser known places, Duc Hue. He was there twice, once in 1967-68 and again in 1969-70. His unit was MACV Team 43 (Military Assistance Command-Vietnam), a remnant of the original U.S. military "advisers" sent there in the early 1960s. But by the late '60s, advising was a dangerous proposition and a thankless task.

Wing and his command were situated on a river, next to an abandoned French sugar mill. So they dubbed themselves the "sugarmillers," and that's what the veterans group is now known as. Their experiences made a lasting impact on all of them.

Americans know how that war went, and the less than friendly reception soldiers encountered when they came home. Wing said his goal is to show one small group of vets that their work and sacrifice were valued.

But it's been a struggle so far.

In 1998, Wing, 63, and Sgt. Richard O'Hare of Virginia were swapping war stories. O'Hare, Wing says, loves reunions and anything that keeps him connected to his roots. O'Hare suggested that Wing organize a reunion for Team 43.

Wing suggested that O'Hare do the organizing. Wing lost the coin toss and has been knee deep in planning and organizing ever since.

"I feel strongly about this and didn't want to let the idea go. I feel bad for my men. They need to see a different view of that whole era," Wing said.

He organized the first get-together at his home, with help from his wife, Michelle, 59. A success, it has been repeated and improved on every other year since. About a dozen former soldiers and nine wives, including Michelle, spend three days together sightseeing, dining out, swapping war stories and reassuring each other.

"That first reunion, and the others, was a good thing," Wing recalled. Like therapy. "I had blocked almost all my war memories. The men got me thinking, remembering, and kind of healing."

They have held their gatherings in Florida, California, Virginia and Texas. Next year, Wing is planning a weeklong reunion in Kissimmee.

"It really has to be something," he said. "We've lost a couple people over the years already, and I want to do one that everyone will remember for a long time."

Michelle has formed close bonds with the team wives and helps her husband do the grunt work - arranging everything from places to stay, to meals, to attraction discounts and transportation.

So far, group members have shared costs, relying on a few discounts and donations from places such as Dolly Parton's Dixie Stampede and Sea World.

"It's not enough," he said.

So he incorporated his group, Sugarmillers Inc., applied for nonprofit designation and has hit the ground running to get the reunion up to his standards. He's writing letters, making phone calls and seeking discounts or sponsorships from restaurants and attractions.

"I'm looking for some organizations, someone, to do something for us they won't do for the general public," he explained. "I want those guys to feel special. They deserve it."

Wing gave up three years of his time-share vacation condo in exchange for the use of three more in Kissimmee for team members.

Wing is a tax preparer, and his busy season is just ahead. Michelle is a dental assistant. But Wing won't let that stand in the way of reunion preparations. He's even added a new mission to his planning.

"We had a U.S. Navy unit with us," he explained. "They'd come up the river in their patrol boats. I felt sorry for those guys. Every time they came up that river, they got shot at. Anyway, they were the Riverine Forces out of Tra Cu.

"I'm looking to find some of them and invite them to the reunions. That would be terrific."

--Maryan Pelland can be reached at maryan@ontext.com

[Last modified November 29, 2005, 11:33:04]