The First Day of Spring and Vietnam

Top Photo by B.J. Meece and Bottom Photo Jim Reece

Today is the first day of Spring.  I've been doing a bit of research today and the cool temperatures and the drizzling rain brought to mind a story from the Island.  It's a story of one of our own.

Corporal Elbert Andrew Ballance, the son of Dapthney Ballance Walker and Norwood Walker of Lowland, was in Southeast Asia in the midst of the Vietnam Conflict.  Elbert was 18 years old and was serving in the U.S. Army, HHB, 2nd Battalion, 320th Field Artillery Regiment, 101st Airborne.

In the Thua Thein Province in South Vietnam, Elbert was killed in action by "friendly fire" at landing zone Birmingham on March 16, 1968.  Elbert was not alone. Five other comrades perished with him in that fatal accident that day.

I have spent many days sitting on my Granddaddy Joshua Potter's porch and I have heard several family members mention that sad day when Elbert was brought home and laid to rest.  Granddaddy Joshua's farm is just across the road from Dapthney Ballance Walker and from the Ballance-Leary Cemetery.

I have heard through their stories that it was a cold day much like today and the first of Spring.  The soldiers who accompanied Cpl. Ballance home to lay him to rest had just switched from their cold weather "winter" uniforms to their "spring" uniforms.  The soldiers stood in the cold temperatures in thin clothing to honor a fallen comrade. Standing in Granddaddy Joshua's field, they delivered a 21 gun salute and the haunting trumpet sound of Taps.   I have heard that no matter how cold those fellows were, they never waivered in delivering the final salute to one of their own.

If you ever visit Washington D.C. or have the chance to visit the traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall , his name is among the other 58,300 men and women who died serving their country.  You will find Cpl. Elbert Andrew Ballance's name on Panel 44E, Line 065.  Rest in peace fellow Islander.  Your service to our country will never be forgotten.