Where were you back on March 28, 1967?
I was in the middle of my sophomore year at Sayville High School. Maybe sitting in Earth Science class with Mr. Gordon bored out of my mind (no offense, Mr. Gordon) probably thinking the weather is getting nice. Maybe I could go caddying this weekend or go out on my friend Billy’s boat.
I don’t think I had any thoughts of a war that was going on in our world. Oblivious that our country was involved in a war in Vietnam, halfway around the world.
It was on a day in March 1967 that a soldier from our hometown would be grievously shot in the head in the jungles of Vietnam. He was left for dead, but miraculously when the Sun rose the following morning, it was noticed he was breathing.
.James P. Buckman (Jimmy) was born on October 12, 1947.
He was a part of a family with generations of military service. His brother Kenneth served in the Army. His dad, William, served in the Army in World War II
Alfred and Ellen, James, great grandfather, and mother arrived in America in 1873 from England and Ireland. They settled in New York City, married, and started a family. One of Alfred’s sons was James’s grandfather, Percy. Percy stayed in New York, married, raised a family of four, and worked as a New York City fireman and craftsmen. Sadly, Percy died at a young age leaving his wife to raise their children.
William, James’ father, was born in 1916. He worked as a mechanic and eventually joined the Army at the start of World War II. After the war, he moved to Sayville and began a career in auto repair. William married James’s mother, Georgienne. They had four children, Anna, William, James, and Kenneth. Sadly William, like his father before him, died at a young age in 1963.
James spent a lot of his early life working and helping his family. He attended Sayville schools and graduated from Sayville High School in 1966. The war was now escalating; the draft was proceeding full force. James joined the army. He quickly married his high school sweetheart. At 18 years old, both he and his new wife just out of school were married. He was off to basic training, then shipped off to Vietnam after 24 weeks of training. Like so many young couples, dreams lay ahead. War has a way of impeding young dreams.
James arrived with his platoon to Quang Ngai Province, “an almost picturesque” country as he described in his letters. After six weeks in the country, James found himself and company on patrols and engaging the enemy. As his company returned one night from an enemy assault, the signal sent to let his base know they were friendly was not noticed. Fire broke out and James was wounded.
The wounds proved almost fatal, but not this day. They evacuated James to the base hospital, then quickly moved to a Japanese Army medical facility where his long recovery would begin. He spent 3 months in Japan before being sent home to Walter Reed Hospital. Four years went by, James had been in six different hospitals and underwent many operations. Having a fiberglass plate placed in his head, many procedures and therapies to remediate many bodily injuries. His recovery therapies included learning Braille and how to use a cane to navigate -the frustrations showed themselves. James had never really returned to a “normal life”.
However, James has developed a positive attitude, attending Suffolk Community College and St. Joseph’s- working towards a degree in Human Relations. And yes, through the years he volunteered at the Northport VA. Worked in many veteran organizations. He’s worked with the Sayville Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 433, serving in a variety of positions. He’s served as a senior vice commander of the Lt. Thomas Burke Chapter of Disabled American Veterans chapter173. All who encountered James report that he was a positive, upbeat, and friendly presence.
For more than 15 years he would struggle to regain his physical and mental abilities. He would also need to stand up to an antiquated veterans administration system to receive the care, treatment, and honors he deserved. It took James,17 years to be recognized with a Purple Heart. At the time, Purple Hearts were only awarded to those injured by the enemy. His injury caused by a fellow soldier mistaking him as enemy combat was not recognized. President Reagan changed the rule for all, recognizing all those injured in combat zones as eligible.
On November 11, 1985. they awarded James the Order of the Purple Heart and the NYS Conspicuous Service Cross.
“The Vietnam War claimed the lives of over 58,000 American service members and wounded over 150,000. It produced a country divided against itself. The government failed to make good on its promises to those who served. Veterans returning from Vietnam were met with an institutional response marked by indifference. Medical care denied, educational and job benefits nominal at best. “
A sad time in our country – we seemed as a society to place the blame on soldiers rather than the leaders who were responsible for the conflict.
But, James continued his recovery, gaining back some of his independence but never fully recovering from his injuries.
James took his experiences and worked to help other veterans deal with the first treatment they received from the VA and then working in our community.
This man, this soldier never gave up. He continued to give out a helping hand, a friendly smile, and words of support.
Although improvements have been made with the Veteran’s Choice Health Care Law. The Veterans Administration still has a long way to go to provide the services and support our country promises to those who defend our country. We must all hold our elected officials to account. Medical treatment, benefits still need to be streamlined and not require a veteran to start over every time they seek medical treatment reapplying over and over, submitting endless paperwork.
We must do better.
We must honor service with honoring commitments. Soldiers and veterans should not be made to feel their care is another mind field they must survive to get treatment.
James served his country and community in more ways than we can’t even understand.
It’s time the cheering stops, actions, and policy are the only way to help.
Waving a flag doesn’t get a veteran his meds, or his doc appointments, or his treatment.
Honor with action—-the rest just makes you feel good.
Help a veteran, you may be the only one who does.
Hope we all can follow James’s example and support our community of veterans with our actions.
James P. Buckman
October 12, 1947 – December 24, 2018
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