Latest news with #Barlett
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam veterans recognized on National Vietnam War Day
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Saturday marks the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 101 invited all who served during the Vietnam War to join them for a special recognition ceremony. On March 29, 1973, the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops left the Republic of Vietnam, after sending more than two-point-seven million men and women into combat. Saturday marked the 52nd anniversary of that day, many of those veterans are still alive today, and FOX21 was able to hear the story of thirty-one of them on Saturday. 'The reason I am here today is because of my peace,' said one veteran speaking at the event. Emotions were high on Saturday afternoon; the thirty-one veterans who began their day as strangers left with an unbreakable bond. 'I think the most important part for me was because of supply issues, There were times when we couldn't help the wounded because we didn't have bandages or we didn't have blood,' said John Barlett, a Vietnam veteran. He says Saturday's event brought up some hard memories. 'It's stayed with me all these years, I'm 76. For instance, when we ran out of blood and we needed blood for them, that was going to be the only thing that saved them.' He said that was one of the most memorable parts of the war he experienced. The veterans spent the afternoon sharing stories and remembering those who never made it home. 'The next was coming home and for Vietnam vets that was quite tough and we suffered,' said Barlett. Barlett served in the war for one year in 1969. On Saturday his family joined him in support including his granddaughter who has yet to hear his story. 'I haven't communicated enough with her about it. That's a lesson I'll take away from here, we're going to have to work on that a little bit harder,' he said. Another veteran, John Armstrong, served in the Vietnam War with his brother in 1967. 'One of the reasons I signed up both of us up today is because he passed away in 2015,' said Armstrong. At the event, he accepted awards on behalf of his brother. 'He had some alcoholism and drug problems from his time in service,' said Armstrong, referring to his brother. Unlike hero welcomes given to veterans of other wars, many who served in Vietnam did not receive any recognition for their service. 'We learned that lesson in America, it's really important for the veteran coming home. Now, maybe they don't know or understand that because a lot of them don't know what happened to us as vets, they hear stories here and there, but they didn't really know about it,' said Barlett. However, on Saturday the veterans finally received their recognition with a special pin and letters from members of the community. While we honor the veterans who served in the war, thousands of people across the world are victims of Agent Orange. 'The effect it has on veterans, but even more so the effects that it had on the children in Vietnam, some are born without limbs, and some with an extra limb,' said Armstrong. One of those victims is Anderson's nephew, causing his head to grow too fast at a young age. 'My brother's son had that condition when he was one, two years old…. so I'm going to try to get him some help.' He said he plans on giving some of the letters he received today to his nephew, who lost his father in the war. If there was one last thing Anderson could tell his brother, what would it be? 'Welcome home,' he said, crying. 'I don't know if anybody ever told him 'welcome home.' So, welcome home, Bob.' All veterans left the event with one message: never forget, and value the life you have. 'We can fix the scars of Vietnam. We can build this nation back up if we get behind each other, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, back to back, and make it work,' said Barlett. If you are a veteran who is struggling, you can click on the link above for resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Climate
- Yahoo
L.A. officials issue evacuation warnings for wildfire-affected areas ahead of heavy rain
The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation warnings on Tuesday for residents living in the areas of the city savaged by recent wildfires ahead of heavy rain and mudslides expected later this week. The warnings were issued for areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which collectively burned through roughly 40,000 acres of land and scorched more than 15,000 buildings in January, according to an interactive map issued by the LAFD. Officials said that two upcoming storms in Southern California make those areas "especially susceptible to heavy rain" and "high mudslide and debris flow risk." Some areas affected by the Palisades Fire are of particular concern for mudslides, according to LAFD's map. "Those living near recent brush fires should be aware of the extreme danger possible from debris flows," a spokesperson for the LAFD said in a statement. "When rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, storm drains, canyons, arroyos and other sloped or low-lying areas can quickly fill with fast-moving water and debris, creating a life-threatening danger." Sierra Madre Fire Chief Brent Bartlett, whose department battled the Eaton Fire, told NBC Los Angeles that "if a mudflow occurs, public safety and public works personnel will not be able to enter an active debris flow zone." "This means that if you stay behind, you may be trapped for days before emergency crews can reach you,' Barlett added. The LAFD urged residents in the affected areas to sign up for emergency alerts, listen to the local media and to create an emergency household plan to designate "what each person will do in the event of a flood, mudslide or serious storm damage." The department also encouraged residents to restock food, water, medication, flashlight, battery-powered radio, rain gear, first aid and sanitation supplies. The warnings will remain in place until Thursday evening. The city's Palisades and Eaton fires, fed by the Santa Ana winds that had hurricane-force speeds, killed at least 29 people. The fires were both declared fully contained on Jan. 31, more than three weeks after they began. This article was originally published on
NBC News
12-03-2025
- Climate
- NBC News
LA officials issue evacuation warnings for wildfire-affected areas ahead of heavy rain
The Los Angeles Fire Department issued evacuation warnings on Tuesday for residents living in the areas of the city savaged by recent wildfires ahead of heavy rain and mudslides expected later this week. The warnings were issued for areas affected by the Palisades and Eaton fires, which collectively burned through roughly 40,000 acres of land and scorched more than 15,000 buildings in January, according to an interactive map issued by the LAFD. Officials said that two upcoming storms in Southern California make those areas "especially susceptible to heavy rain" and "high mudslide and debris flow risk." Some areas affected by the Palisades Fire are of particular concern for mudslides, according to LAFD's map. "Those living near recent brush fires should be aware of the extreme danger possible from debris flows," a spokesperson for the LAFD said in a statement. "When rainstorms impact the Los Angeles area, storm drains, canyons, arroyos and other sloped or low-lying areas can quickly fill with fast-moving water and debris, creating a life-threatening danger." Sierra Madre Fire Chief Brent Bartlett, whose department battled the Eaton Fire, told NBC Los Angeles that "if a mudflow occurs, public safety and public works personnel will not be able to enter an active debris flow zone." "This means that if you stay behind, you may be trapped for days before emergency crews can reach you,' Barlett added. The LAFD urged residents in the affected areas to sign up for emergency alerts, listen to the local media and to create an emergency household plan to designate "what each person will do in the event of a flood, mudslide or serious storm damage." The department also encouraged residents to restock food, water, medication, flashlight, battery-powered radio, rain gear, first aid and sanitation supplies. The warnings will remain in place until Thursday evening. The city's Palisades and Eaton fires, fed by the Santa Ana winds that had hurricane-force speeds, killed at least 29 people. The fires were both declared fully contained on Jan. 31, more than three weeks after they began.
