Vietnam veterans reunion becomes funeral

Jose Munoz, together with about a dozen members of the Vietnam Army veterans 321st Transportation Company, saluted his friend and fellow veteran Bob Hopson near his grave at the Chattanooga National Cemetery on Saturday morning.

"We spent nearly two years in the service together, he became like a brother to me," said Mr. Munoz with teary eyes during the memorial.

Since last year, the group of veterans had planned their sixth reunion in Chattanooga, hoping Mr. Hopson, who had become ill, would be able to make it, said Vietnam veteran John Hayde, who traveled from Missouri for the reunion.

"We started putting a reunion (together) several years ago and we had finally located (Mr. Hopson) in 2007, unfortunately he passed away last year," he said.

Mr. Hopson died of heart failure on Oct. 27, 2008.

In his honor, about 40 people, including family members and fellow soldiers from across the country, met in the cemetery Saturday morning.

Many dressed in gray shirts with a picture of a military truck they drove during their service, referred to as the deuce-and-a-half, in the back and the words "U.S. Army veteran" in the front.

The group formed a large circle holding hands and initiated a memorial with a prayer led by Jim Cord, Mr. Hopson's brother-in-law.

Mary Hopson, the wife of the late Mr. Hopson, also received a plaque with a picture of several of the veterans, including Mr. Hopson, during a reunion in Missouri in 2007.

"My husband would have loved to have been here," said Ms. Hopson as she stood by his grave.

"I understand this is the first time they've done this, he would have been thrilled to see them again and we tried, we really tried to make it, but it was just not meant to be," she added.

Bert Holt, an American Indian and Vietnam Veteran who traveled from Oklahoma, sang several songs in Choctaw with his wife Faye, including "Amazing Grace," which was then followed in English by the rest of the group.

Before breaking the circle, Chuck Roberts, sergeant of the 321st Transportation Company, dismissed the group of veterans, who turned towards Mr. Hopson's grave for the salute.

Mr. Munoz, who traveled from New Jersey, said he had just contacted Mr. Hopson last year before their reunion in Maine, but Mr. Hopson was already too sick to attend.

"I can't even describe what it meant for me when I spoke to him on the phone for the first time," he said, adding that it was no easier to say what he felt when he stood by his friend's grave.