Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 899 New Jersey

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The Vietnam Veteran's Legacy by Michael Engi
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The (WTU) Warrior Transistion Unit or Medical Hold Unit at Fort Dix

This is where soldiers wounded in theater or injured in training get medical attention. This Unit now comes directly under the Walter Reed Medical Facility.

Most soldiers assigned to this unit stay from a few weeks to six months or more.  While they are assigned our Chapter provides food not normally found in the mess hall one night a week during our "Veteran's night" program.  We usually arrive at 7PM and stay to the late hours of the morning providing camaraderie and company for the soldiers.  We play cards, shoot pool, watch TV and sometimes just sit and talk.  We try to make their time go by a little easier and let them know that while far from home, someone cares.

It's not hard for Vietnam era veterans to remember their military service and how lonely these times can be.  A lot of people or organizations may send phone cards or gifts to the soldiers that are short lived and its back to the same routine. What we offer is an ongoing program that money can't buy.  We offer friendship, understanding, our experiences and someone to just talk to that has no other goals or agenda other than to support them in their time of need. 

Recently, on another night, we have started what we call a "Veteran's Support Group" or Mentoring Program", where we discuss semi-private issues with soldiers on a one-on-one basis.  We are not professional councilors nor do we claim to be, however we have found that there is a bond between all combat exposed soldiers that allows us to communicate on a different level that is often successful in helping to ease the pain of the battle experience.  In addition our Veteran's Service Representative is there to help file applications with the Veteran's Administration for claims or answer VA related questions.

Particular to this bond is sharing experiences that the individual may be reluctant to talk about with others for fear of retribution or simply privacy issues.  In short, they trust us with some of their inner most thoughts and problems.  We feel that any help that works is welcomed and the soldiers have thus so far expressed a positive willingness to participate and even recover somewhat from illnesses such as Post Traumatic Stress Disorder or PTSD.

Below you see pictures of the WTU soldiers at our annual picnic and our first card tournament with some of the happy winners.  We gave out Awards and Gift certificate to the Post Exchange as prizes.  Our annual picnic is for the soldiers and the VVA together as is our annual Christmas Party.

Our future plans include working closer with family support and a new unit called SFAC, Soldier and Family Assistance Center which has scheduled a new building to be completed just to support the WTU soldiers within the next two years.

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Our first card tournament for the soldiers at WTU.
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Soldiers compete against each other for prizes & trophies

VVA Annual Picnic 2007
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Soldiers from WTU relax after food and swimming at VVA 899 picnic

The Ft. Dix Warrior Transistion Unit (WTU) have for the past two years shared a Facility for their Annual Christmas Party.  Below are some of the pictures of Christmas 2007 of Both VVA and WTU.

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Spc. John Crosby
115th Mobile Public Affairs Detachment

FORT DIX, N.J. -- “Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another,” reads the motto of the 899th Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

The members of the 899th live by this motto, which is evident in the extra time they take out of their lives to support today’s veterans.

The 899th spends time with Soldiers of C Company, Medical Review Processing Unit every Monday night on Fort Dix.

C Co., MRPU is a medical hold unit that transitions ill and injured Soldiers back into the fight.

“Our goal is to try to make the transition for Soldiers back into the civilian world or back into the Army as quick and painless as possible,” said C Co., MRPU 1st Sgt. John Humphreys.

“It’s kind of like our own little Walter Reed here,” said Michael Engi, 899th president. “We try to get the troops out of their rooms and socialize a little bit. They like us here.”

Engi said they will be coming to Fort Dix for three years in November. Supporting the veterans of today is their full time job, and they work 24/7. They show up to every flight at McGuire Airbase departing to and returning home from the Global War on Terrorism regardless of what time it is, day or night.

“We line up 15 to 20 of us and shake every Soldier’s hand that walks off of that plane,” Engi said. “We are the first thing they see when they get home and hopefully they pick up where we left off, for those of us who didn’t get hand shakes. No parade could give us what you guys give us everyday by doing what you do and the respect you give us.”

Engi said the 899th is a bunch of retired Vietnam combat veterans banded together to support today’s veterans.

“Some of us have purple hearts and many of us suffer from post traumatic stress disorder,” he said. “We’re all combat veterans, and we share a common bond with our Soldiers returning home that no counselor could ever give us. We do this today because we didn’t receive the same support in Vietnam.”

The 899th provides birthday parties, Monday night cookouts and poker games, picnics, fishing trips, transportation, and support for the families of the Soldiers of C Co.

“Last year we gave away $1000 in gift certificates to the families of our recovering Soldiers for Christmas,” Engi said.

“It’s a huge morale booster having this group of guys around,” said Spc. Brandon J. Glass, a C Co. Soldier. “I look forward to every Monday night poker game, and the food they bring is a nice break from the chow hall food.”

Glass has been playing Monday night Texas Hold ’Em games with the 899th since he arrived here in April.

“They’re a great group of guys. If you need anything at any time they come and help you out,” Glass said.

Engi said it benefits him as much as it does the Soldiers he supports.

“It’s a mutual bond and understanding between combat veterans,” he said. “We help each other overcome the past.”

Engi said the 899th’s goal is to get the veterans of today to carry on their mission and to support the veterans of tomorrow. And to never again allow a generation of veterans abandon another.

Number of Visitors since
September 2007