Veterans on Central Valley Honor Flight reflect while visiting Vietnam War Memorial

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Hundreds of thousands of young Americans served in the military during the Vietnam War from 1954 to 1973, when the US withdrew combat forces from Southeast Asia.

The conflict killed tens of thousands of servicemen and women.

55 of the veterans on the 34th Central Valley Honor Flight served during Vietnam, including former Navy SEAL Ric Morales of Yokuts Valley.

The Native American minister and Purple Heart recipient came to Washington, as did the other veterans, for one last mission with honor and to pay tribute at the Vietnam Memorial Wall to those who died.

Morales walked the entire length of the wall, asking for the spirits of the fallen to be taken to the creator.

An honor flight volunteer explained his actions, as emotions waved over Morales.

"He has honored his friends and his comrades from Vietnam by singing to them today," they said. "Thank you, Ric. We love you."

The Navy veteran said he lost friends and family in Vietnam, and he hopes the Honor Flight will help him heal from the pain and trauma he's experienced.

"I had fear and anxiety about coming, but now, I feel more peaceful," Morales said.

Air Force veteran Wayne Amoruso of Madera also walked the wall, touching the names inscribed on it.

As a C-130 crew chief, he flew back the bodies of those killed in action.

Amoruso never knew their names during that difficult duty, but he says now, he does.

The massive black granite walls of the Vietnam Memorial contain the names of more than 58,000 men and women who gave their lives in service, or are listed as missing in action.

Many of the Valley veterans searched for the names of a family member or friend on the wall, taking time to get a "rubbing" in remembrance.

"All my brothers are right here," says Max Franco. "I'll never forget them. I never will."

Franco, a Navy veteran, is one of four high school friends on the honor flight.

Franco found the name of his brother-in-law, Thomas Arredondo, on the wall.

The 22-year old marine died in combat during his second tour of Vietnam.

"They went on patrol, and his whole platoon got KIA," Franco said. "They found the whole platoon out there."

His brother-in-law left behind a wife and young son, leading Franco to question why he was spared when so many others perished.

"I still feel kind of guilty coming home," he said. "It's not going to go away. It never will. It hurts."

Long-time Fresno school teacher, Tom Sabatino, started playing harmonica in the Navy.

He stopped for a moment at the wall to play it again, but this time, to honor and recognize all those names and their sacrifices.

The Vietnam War Memorial wall does not include the names of thousands of service members who have died from exposure to Agent Orange, suicide, cancer or other causes related to their service.

On this Memorial Day, we honor their sacrifice as well.

For more information or to make a donation to the Central Valley Honor Flight, visit their website.

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