The Progress-Index September 28, 2004
Band shelter serves as memorial to 1st Logistics Command
By F.M. Wiggins
FORT LEE - At the corner of Sgt. Seay Field, there is a white, half-dome shaped memorial.
Most who pass by know it as the band shelter, as often the Fort Lee band will play under it, particularly during the concert series held each year. Other uses for the half-dome are for group graduation pictures following training.
The band shelter has a much more sacred purpose.
The white half-dome located on Lee Avenue is actually a memorial. First dedicated 30 years ago, the band shelter was originally erected to pay tribute to those logistical soldiers who lost their lives in Vietnam as part of the 1st Logistics Command, which was activated in 1965 in Saigon for the purpose of providing logistical support for the Army serving in Southeast Asia.
Twelve years ago, the monument was rededicated to honor all logistics warriors killed in service to this country in all wars.
According to Fort Lee historian Steven Anders, 36,000 veterans raised about $50,000 to pay for the erection of the monument. After the monument was approved, it took only 15 months to complete.
From a distance, the half-dome may appear to be a solid concrete structure; it is, in fact, made out of a great deal of wood.
The actual designs were approved of by both the Fort Lee commander at the time, Maj. Gen. John D. McLaughlin, and Lt. Gen. Joseph Heiser, who commanded the 1st Logistics Command during Vietnam.
"At the time, the Fort Lee base commander, Maj. Gen. John D. McLaughlin had a vision," Anders said. "He saw Fort Lee as the logistics center for the Army and it really kind of is today. His vision really has come true."
The design of the monument is supposed to evoke the patch which is the symbol for the 1st Logistics Command.
The shoulder patch is a blue circle surrounded by a white circle and a red circle. Coming off of the white circle, into the blue circle is an arrow.
"The arrow is supposed to represent the rapidity of the movement of supplies which is the job of the unit," Anders said. "The arrow points to approximately 10:30, or halfway between the 10 and 11 on a clock to signify that the supplies will always get there before the 11th hour."
During the Vietnam war, the command's mission was to supply all of the troops in the field, make sure roadways were clear, and to set up supply depots and ports.
In a traditional war setting, supplies are routed from the rear to the front, sort of like on a football field. However, according to Anders, during Vietnam and in the current situation in Iraq, getting supplies to troops is more like a game of soccer.
"The unit took a lot of casualties, more than 300 soldiers," Anders said. "The veterans wanted the premiere logistics memorial in the Army."
One of the soldiers who paid the ultimate sacrifice from the 1st Logistics Command was Sgt. William Seay, for whom the field the memorial sits at the corner of is named. Seay was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions on a hot August day in 1968 when the truck convoy he was a part of was ambushed. Seay defended his fellow soldiers until his own death.
The Web site, www.globalsecurity.org, states that during 1966, 1st Logistics Command became the largest single major command in Vietnam as its military personnel strength increased to more than 50,000. Its combat service support activities were reaching - directly or indirectly - nearly every service member in Vietnam.
Since its dedication, the band shelter and memorial have been used for concerts, changes of command, promotions and as a backdrop for class pictures for the graduating classes training at Fort Lee.
"I've not seen it ever damaged by any weather we receive around here," said Anders referring to recent hurricanes and the 1993 tornado. "Of course, over 30 years it has had to have regular maintenance and the sign has had to be replaced."
© Copyright 2004, The Progress-Index
