Maricopa’s VFW holds Veterans Day charity drive, honors troops

In 1966, the West was engaged in a Cold War with the Soviets, and Eisenhower’s Domino Theory guided American foreign policy. This doctrine said Western economic powers must contain the Communists so their economic ideas wouldn’t spread through countries like falling dominoes.

Many nations on the Asian continent had already adopted this competing theory and, as a result, the United States responded by sending U.S. Troops to a place President Lyndon Johnson described as being “half way around the world”: Vietnam.

That same year, a 21-year-old man from West Unity, Ohio, enlisted in the Navy where he found himself off the coast of Vietnam conducting shore bombardment missions.

“This meant a lot of sea time away from home,” said the one-time sailor. “Being a young man, newly married, and never venturing far from my little farm community was a shocking eye opener.”

It wasn’t until 1969 that Fire Control 1st Class Dean Wyse had the shock of his life.

“Cruising through the those open waters, my destroyer was cut in two by an Australian aircraft carrier,” he said. “Seventy-four of my crew mates were lost at sea.”

Wyse described this extraordinary event as life altering, and something that never leaves his mind.

“I never wake up without thinking about it,” he said. “The bond you gain being holed up with 270 men on a 250-foot ship in the middle of an ocean for months on end lasts a lifetime.”

Wyse left active duty in 1970 and served in the Naval Reserves until 1976.

Today he lives in Thunderbird Farms with his wife, Cheryl, and continues to serve those who serve, as the commander of the Maricopa chapter of the Veteran of Foreign Wars, formally know as Tracy P. McPherson Post # 12043.

“Veterans of Foreign Wars is considered the elite of U.S. veterans organizations because it demands overseas service in a time of war or international crisis to qualify for membership,” Wyse said.

What made his loss on that ship in 1969 so significant was the camaraderie that was built sharing the same risks and sacrifices as fellow shipmates. Building fraternal bonds such as Wyse’s is one of the many traditions the VFW promotes.

Dean Wyse is a veteran of the Vietnam where he lost 74 shipmates when his ship was destroyed in a collision. He and other former service members will be collecting donations Saturday, Veterans Day, to support Veterans of Foreign Wars charities and programs.

In addition, the VFW aids veterans and their families whenever possible, maintains allegiance to the U.S. Government and fidelity to its constitution and laws to foster patriotism, to maintain and extend the institutions of the American freedom and equal rights and justice to all men and women, and to preserve and defend the United States of America.

“It is our hope that we will get enough active members to properly work the programs the VFW promotes,” Wyse said.

There are three basic student scholarship programs the VFW uses to teach history, patriotism and community: the Voice of Democracy, where students write and give speeches; Patriots Pen, an essay contest; and Patriotic Art, where students submit a drawing or painting.

Wyse said this type of involvement with schools teaches youth to understand their heritage and appreciate those who protect their civil rights. This is what he said builds patriotism.

“During my period of time serving I was not appreciated for doing my job,” Wyse said. “I am happy and proud to say that today’s soldiers are treated like true heroes.”

Wyse said the VFW also does what they can to help those who serve today.

Saturday is Veterans Day, and he and other members of the VFW will be in front of Bashas’ and Fry’s grocery stores handing out poppies and collecting donations for a relief fund. This money is used for the National Veterans Children’s Home, Veterans in VA Hospitals and to help families of veterans and soldiers, Wyse explained.

“Sometimes the strain on young military families, when one spouse is off to war, is more that they can handle financially. So we help with their electric bill or something that makes their life a little easier. We also send phone cards to soldiers, so they can call home to family,” he said.

Wyse hopes that this weekend’s turn out will generate more support for their organization, including membership in the VFW and VFW auxiliary, while bringing the community closer together.

As they grow, they plan to have their own facility where they can host food drives and larger charitable events.

“We need all the help with this endeavor we can get,” Wyse said.

For more information about supporting the VFW, contact Commander Dean Wyse at (520) 568-4264 or via e-mail [email protected]