Latest news with #VeteransViews
Yahoo
01-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Remembering end of Vietnam War 50 years later
JESSUP, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Wednesday marked 50 years since the final day of the Vietnam War: A conflict that claimed the lives of more than 58,000 Americans over a nine-year period. While US Involvement in Vietnam ended in 1973, the war as a whole went on until 1975. For many of those who served, the experiences they had in Vietnam live on forever. For Judge Thomas Munley, it's no different. 'I think about it every single day. I think about the soldiers that I lost, my friends, that never came back alive,' Judge Munley explained. Judge Munley was a 23-year-old school teacher when he was drafted for the Vietnam War. As a young man with a college degree, he says he never imagined he'd be sent to Vietnam, let alone as an infantryman. But sure enough, after four months of training, he arrived in Vietnam in 1969, and it wasn't long before he had his first encounter with the enemy. 'I lasted about two weeks before my first firefight, with the enemy, and I'm thinking, 'I have to stay here a whole year, I'm never going to make it home,'' Judge Munley continued. But for 11 months and five days, this was his home. He used his helmet as a pillow and the jungle floor as a bed. Dunmore PSP holds annual memorial service He says the wet, swampy conditions often led to sores and infection, but at the time, these things were the least of his worries. 'You're worried about rats every day, you're worried about sniper rounds every day, you're worried about artillery, you're worried about booby-traps,' Judge Munley added. Upon returning from the war, Judge Munley used the GI Bill to enroll in law school, starting what would become a 31-year career as an attorney and eventually, a judge. Now, he uses his experience to help vets like himself through veteran outreach and hosting the segment Veterans Views. 'I want to make veterans feel that I care about them, and that's been my whole life,' Judge Munley explained. While so many others lost their lives in Vietnam, Judge Munley made it through. Something he credits to taking things one day at a time and never giving up on his dream. 'I had that dream every single day, that I'm going to be a lawyer someday. So I kept that dream with me for a whole year,' Judge Munley said. On behalf of everyone at 28/22 News, we would like to say, 'thank you for your service.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
AOH lays wreath ahead of Saint Patrick's Parade
SCRANTON, LACKAWANNA COUNTY (WBRE/WYOU) — Late Tuesday afternoon in Scranton, the Ancient Order of Hibernians Paul 'Hook' O'Malley Division Four held a memorial service in Courthouse Square. The members laid a wreath at the Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients' Memorial. Retired judge and Veterans Views host Tom Munley served as the speaker. What to know about the Scranton St. Patrick's Parade Judge Munley was honored as Man of the Year by the group over the weekend. 'There is nobody who could be a better Man of the Year, and he is a veteran's veteran because even though he did his combat in 1969. He has never not been helping, whether retired or not, not only veterans, his fellow human beings. He is a great man,' Pat O'Malley with the Ancient Order of Hibernation Paul 'Hook' O`Malley Division Four explained. They will be part of Saturday's parade. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
