Our weekly series, Remembering Our Veterans, continues with the story of Vietnam War Veteran, Joseph Scandale. Joseph is a Fairview resident and served in the U.S. Army. 

Scandale was a tractor-trailer driver for the 630th Transportation Company.

"Our job was when anything came in, it came in by air or by sea," said Scandale. 

His mission was to ensure all goods and supplies were shipped into the country and swiftly removed from the docks. His unit delivered goods without military support.

"We had to get them off the docks, no matter what time they got there we had to get them off the dock so Vietnam wouldn't blow up the supplies," said Scandale. 

On one mission, after running out of fuel, he was forced to fast on area vegetation like banana plants.

"If you let it bother you, it was very difficult. And ya know you just live through it I guess," said Scandale. "[What was it like when you got home?] Well at that time you were called a baby killer, you were spat on, you were not welcomed with open arms. I think the American people were brainwashed. We went over there, and the first troops that were sent over there were sent there by Kennedy and General Westmoreland and he kept saying 'get me 50,000 more troops and I'll end this war!' Before it was over with, everybody was over there." 

As a service officer for veterans in Millcreek Post 773, he was actively engaged in fundraising thousands of dollars to supply small gifts for our troops.

Joe Scandale, thank you for your service.