KNIFE: Honoree humbled by gift

Words cannot express the gratitude I felt receiving my buck knife on Sept. 14, 2013. I cannot tell you what an impact that one year in Vietnam had on my life. There is nothing like leading men into combat.

I came home to an angry America. It was best not to mention my tour of duty in ‘Nam. I was proud of my service to my country, but my country was not proud of me.

I applied to dental school while in Vietnam. Since I could not come in for an interview, my applications were not processed. Loyola (of Chicago) had a retired Army officer as dean and they put me on their waiting list. I left Vietnam in May and started dental school in September because someone dropped out. I completed a residency and practiced oral and maxillofacial surgery for 37 years. I retired and volunteer in the clinics at the University of Illinois in Chicago two days a week.

Thank you so very much for this great honor. I accept this knife not only for my service, but for the wounded and dead who were under my command.

DR. RICHARD LEE

1st Lt. Infantry, U.S. Army

Vietnam 1969-70