Assignment Vietnam: Returning remains is Job 1 Published July 13, 2009 By Butch Wehry Academy Spirit staff writer U.S. AIR FORCE ACADEMY, Colo. -- Past Vietnam recovery specialist Master Sgt. Greg Meinert returned to the Academy in mid-April from scouring jungle sites. "This has been going on for a very long time, not only for the Vietnam War but back to WWII," said the Academy aircraft flight equipment noncommissioned in charge. "They have a lot of information about missions and their successes." He was on one of five teams that went to Vietnam. "I was on a smaller team with 11 members," he said. "Once we got there we went off to different locations to begin our work. While at the sites, we had anywhere from 25 to 100 Vietnamese working with us." He went on two recovery sites, first to the province of Bihn Dinh and the other in Binh Phuoc Province. "Overall it was a very successful mission," said the senior NCO. "We were able to locate remains right away. We had only been digging for a few hours when we found our first tooth. The other teams had success also, which is good since that is the reason we go onto these missions. When you have success like that right away, it just makes you want to dig harder, work longer to find more." This time he was in a guest house, a little more bearable than field conditions. "It was still not what we are used to but it was nice," Sergeant Meinert said. "I still had to deal with all of the critters and insects that will get into your room. I had to make sure everything was covered because if not I would wake up to ants trying to take my food. Towards the end I got used to the gecko's chirping, they would actually help me fall asleep." Unlike his first deployment to Vietnam, this time he had no "close calls." "But you still have to be careful," he said. "We came across a lot of ammunition and shrapnel. You have to be careful of the wild life, critters and insects. If you saw a local running away from something, it probably was best if you did too. You would never know what you might find digging in the dirt, we came across snakes and centipedes, red ants. I have never been bitten so much in my life." He found the Vietnamese nice, eager to speak to them and always saying hello. "I was impressed on how helpful they were, they made this mission a success," said Sergeant Meinert. "I would go running in the morning and they would come over and run with me. They were as curious about us as were about them. We even taught them how to throw a football. I got to learn about their culture, try their food. It was an experience I will never forget." Times have changed since the 60s Age of Aquarius and the Vietnam conflict. "We live in a society now that accepts the military and what we do," said the sergeant. "That hasn't always been the case. There was a time in this country when the uniform wasn't respected. That was a shame on our government and our people. They were only doing what was asked of them to do so we can enjoy our freedoms of today. When you see any veteran, talk to them and thank them for what they have done. I do it every chance I get, because without them we would be able to enjoy are freedoms of today, and remember 'Until they are Home'. At the repatriation ceremony they had Vietnam Veterans who came to show their respects. "That shows the camaraderie and brotherhood that exists in the military," he said. "This is the most satisfying experience I have been associated with. When you can bring home a fellow American who was lost at war, words cannot explain. Just knowing we can bring closure to a family who has lost a loved one makes it worthwhile. Now they know that their father, brother, or uncle is home with them. It brings more meaning to the family when they go to the cemetery now to visit, and they know their loved ones are there. But it didn't hit me until I saw the caskets. "When they put the American flag over the caskets and walked them onto the C-17, it gave me chills. It made me feel proud to be in the military and to be part of such an important mission."