‘Trip of a lifetime’ — Vietnam veteran visits capital as a part of Voyage of Valor

A local Vietnam veteran was chosen by the AARP to participate in the Voyage of Valor this past May. Newcastle resident Wayne Christensen served in the U.S. Army from 1966 to 1968. He was awarded a Purple Heart, given to those who have been injured or killed in the line of duty. Now, years later, he has been awarded the trip of a lifetime. 

The Voyage of Valor is a trip offered to selected veterans to visit Washington, D.C., and be recognized for their efforts. Christensen was notified last winter that he had been selected and that he would need to gear up for the trek to the East Coast. Each veteran was encouraged to bring a companion, Christensen brought his wife,  Judith, on the adventure with him across the country.

Timothy Sheppard, executive director of AARP Veterans Advisory Council, provided information about the trip. The voyage is primarily sponsored through AARP’s Wish of a Lifetime,  a charitable affiliate that works out the funding and logistics of the trip. The occasion is meant to give Vietnam veterans the recognition and appreciation that they may have failed to receive when they arrived home after their tours of duty. They also get a chance to visit the memorials in the nation’s capital that honor their service. 

Before embarking on the voyage, Christensen said he was excited for the opportunity but hesitant about what it entailed. He was pleasantly surprised to receive the “trip of a lifetime,” he said. His highlight of the trip was their first stop, which was the World War II Memorial. 

Christensen said that when the group arrived at the memorial, hundreds of people greeted them with cheers and clapping. Eventually, they were approached by a group of fifth graders from Memphis. The girls and boys in the class gave each veteran a manila envelope full of letters expressing gratitude for the veterans. 

Christensen said that on the trip, the veterans finally received the warm welcome home that they had been waiting for. 

“When we got back from Vietnam, most people weren’t treated very well,” he said. “But here, everyone was treated like royalty.” 

Sheppard explained that a goal of the trip was to commemorate the veterans to every extent possible. Multiple dinners were held in their honor, and at every step of their travel ventures, they were met with celebrations. 

Christensen’s sons, Wade and Cody, were aware of their father’s trip to Washington, and expressed their own appreciation for  his service. 

Cody explained that his father was wounded in Vietnam, and he recalled throughout his own childhood, his
father’s time overseas was not really mentioned. His dad has been a major influence in his life. 

“He is my hero,” he said. “He lived a normal life and worked hard.” 

Wade said that his father has always been one of his biggest role models. On the family ranch, he said, his father had been his boss from age 4. 

Wade also mentioned that Christensen’s military experience probably contributed to the discipline that was part of their growing up. 

“We were taught to toe the line,” he said. 

Although Christensen’s time in Vietnam was not talked about in their household, both boys are proud that their father served. 

“It has always been one of my biggest regrets in life,” Wade said. “I had always wished I had served time for our country.” 

Cody and Wade both explained how the Voyage of Valor was important not only to their dad but to all of the people who served. 

“Every one of those guys deserves that recognition and respect,” Cody said. 

Wade was proud of the opportunity extended to his dad, and hopes that every veteran receives this honor. “I think our country owes them that much,” he said. 

Christensen was excited to embark on the adventure because he had never been to D.C. He said that one of his priorities was to visit the Vietnam Wall. 

“There were some friends of mine from high school on that wall,” he explained. 

Other sites that Christensen and the other veterans visited were the Lincoln Memorial, the Capitol grounds, Aerospace Museum and Arlington National Cemetery. 

“The changing of the guards (at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) was awfully cool,” Christensen said. 

The veterans also took a bus tour of Washington, to see more notable memorials and landmarks. 

“I think the national capital region has done a phenomenal job with Vietnam War Memorial symbology,” Sheppard said. “The veterans really relate to that, and it is all right there.”

Christensen confirmed the significance of the trip and what it meant to him as a veteran. “I had never been there personally,” he said. “It was wonderful.”