Avon VFW Member Experienced 'Hostile Environment' of DMZ Vietnam Jungle War

Marine veteran Bob Skeels, a Simsbury resent and Avon VFW member, was on the front lines "in hard combat near the DMZ" from 1968 to 1969. 

He gave his first-person account of the jungle war in a presentation at the Avon Free Public Library. Skeels served both as an infantry and tank platoon leader for the U.S. Marine Corps. 

"It was a very hostile environment that presented overwhelming threats to the grunt infantry Marines from both the very cunning enemy, the wildlife (including tigers) and myriad infections from jungle rot, leeches and rat bites," Skeels wrote to Patch in an email. 

His presentation was part of a collaborative series that the library and Avon's VFW Post 3272 organized to educate people about the Vietnam War in honor of the 50th anniversary of the controversial war. 

"On the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, it is paramount that we remember the 58,286 who served and did not make it home from the war," Skeels said. "It's our high honor and solemn duty to remember and talk about their sacrifices and deeds. They are not dead unless we stop remembering them!"

The VFW also seeks to address misconceptions about the war. 

"Also, as time passes, many are forgetting the real history and real story of the war so through presentations like mine, servicemen like myself hope to educate the younger generation about what actually happened on the battlefield along with an accurate reporting of who won the war and all the lessons that were learned from that intense, horrific and very controversial war," Skeels said.

This October, State Sen. Kevin Witkos (R-8) honored Skeels as Veteran of the Month, the first award recipient in the monthly veteran recognition initiative.     

"I am deeply honored that Senator Witkos has selected me as the first veteran of the month," Skeels siad. "It is wonderful that he has created a program to honor and highlight the military service of the many veterans in our region."

A Vietnam exhibit is open for viewing in the Avon Free Public Library's history room through Oct. 31. There, you can see artifacts and maps from the war, as well as information on Avon's connections to the war and bios of Avon Vietnam veterans.

Exhibit hours coincide with regular library hours, which are Monday, Tuesday, Thursday from 10 a.m. to 8:30 p.m., Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Friday and Saturday  from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Veterans will be available at the exhibit from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturdays.