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| Task Force Builders 1968 |
| Some members of Task Force Builders reunite after 38 years at the 2006 46th Engineer Battalion reunion If ever there was a close knit band of brothers, TFB Vets surely are. |
| The Leaders of Task Force Builders Rach Kien; Left To Right: Lt. Mac McClernan, Capt. Mike Miller, Col. George Gray |
| The Backbone of the TFB, David Miller Passes I am trying to write "Task Force's" eulogy. Sgt Miller's meaning to us is a difficult thing to express. Conflicting emotions are hitting me, and I am sure the rest of the men in "Task Force Builder" are experiencing the same feeling of loss. Strange that you can have such intense emotions surfacing after 40 years, it is like having a very close relative die. I suppose the answer is he was a close relative. We were blood brothers. Our brotherhood was a joining of spirit born of blood in the Mekong Delta of Vietnam. The years have not diminished the connection we feel to Sgt Miller. Joanne, I believe you saw the connection we share at the reunion. Some do not understand the connection the men of "Task Force Builder" have for one another. We the men of "Task Force Builder" faced death every day and every night. We experienced over 42 rocket, mortar, and ground attacks in the one year of "Task Force's Builder's" existence. That doesn't include 3 ambushes and numerous sniper attacks that took place. Sgt Miller had respect for the army, the soldiers he led, and reverence for his fellow man. He had a sense of duty, a sense of purpose, a sense of honor, and finally bravery. He was everything a soldier hopes to be, and few men can hope to attain. Most of all, Sgt Miller was the bravest man in “Task Force Builder.” On Dec 10, 1967 Task Force Builder, a group of 58 men were asleep. Their sleep was interrupted by mortar fire. Some men might be frozen by indecision. Sgt Miller was not. Immediately he rose from a sound sleep. Eleven men had been wounded almost instantly. Some were lightly wounded, some gravely wounded, and one man died, Donald Guittar. Sgt Miller was one of the men wounded. Despite his wounds he began dragging wounded men to safety. He did this as mortars continued to rain in upon Task Force Builder’s position. He directed his men to safety, yet he disregarded his own. At the risk of his life he tried to save his young inexperienced troops. Were it not for his efforts, many would have died. The men of Task Force never forgot his bravery. We never forgot his cool judgment under enemy fire. We never forgot his bravery! We considered him the bravest man among us. For his actions, Sgt Miller received a Purple Heart for wounds received in battle, and was cited with the Silver Star for heroism in action against the enemy. We determined to come to Vidalia and thank him for his example as a human being. He treated the youngsters in Task Force as soldiers, but also as men. He recognized and accepted their intrinsic worth as Human Beings. This was the greatness of Sgt Miller. The purpose of "Task Force Builder" was noble. I believe that is why Sgt. Miller volunteered to go on this dangerous mission and daily risked his life. The purpose of Task Force was to build Schools, Medical Facilities, and Orphanages for the Vietnamese people. These schools still exist! They are a lasting testament to Sgt David Miller. It is a tribute to his skill, leadership abilities, and his skill as a craftsman that they have lasted. Sgt. Miller saw every man Vietnamese or American as a creature of God! They were equal in his eyes. Neither American nor Vietnamese was diminished for any reason. Perhaps his own words speak best for Sgt. Miller. A newsman interviewed him in Vietnam. The article was published in the New York Times June 9, 1968. The Times article quoted Sgt. Miller, "Kindness is all it takes to get along with Vietnamese. The kinder you are to them the nicer they are to you." He recognized and accepted the teaching of Jesus. He lived his life, as Jesus would have wanted. Perhaps Sgt. Miller took his reason for living from the Bible, Luke 6:27-29 "But I say to you who hear: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, and pray for those who spitefully use you. To him who strikes you on the one cheek, offer the other also. And from him who takes away your cloak, do not withhold your tunic either." As young soldiers, we commented to each other "Sgt. Miller treats the Vietnamese better than he does us." There was a difference. He was our Sgt. He was our leader. He could not treat us as he did the Vietnamese, but he did treat every man, woman, and child as an important. He recognized each person’s inherent worth. As young men we failed in this task to view our fellow man as God’s equal. I would like to think Sgt Miller’ s model for life has influenced us in the intervening years. I know his example has shaped my life. I sometimes feel shame when I fail live up to his ideal, but I do quietly say, I will do better! I will attempt to do it as Sgt Miller did. Sgt Miller was a man of quiet enduring respect. Respect for the army, the soldiers he led, and reverence for his fellow man. In war many of us could forget the value of a human being he did not. Sgt Miller had a deep reverence for his fellow man. If we were not attacked in many places it was because of the esteem the Vietnamese held for Sgt Miller, and the respect he gave to them in return. He was a man of honor. He gave respect to everyone. Everyone returned that respect. I think we the men of "Task Force" have all venerated his memory. As the years have passed the approbation we had for him has grown. That can be said of few men. He was a legend and a father to us. Like every man in Task Force, I was not ready for his passing. I had hopes and dreams of thanking him in person for what he meant to me. He changed our lives, and he taught us respect for our fellow man. He has grown in our veneration through the years. Sgt. David Miller was a quiet man, a man of honor, integrity, and gentleness of spirit. He was also a humble man of God. What more can you ask of a man in this life, and in the best and greatest sense of the word he was also a PROFESSIONAL SOLDIER. Though the years have separated us he was our friend, our mentor, he was our SGT. With deep sadness we heard of his death each of us in "Task Force Builder" commends his soul to God. Sincerely, The Men of TASK FORCE BUILDERS Rach Kien, Long An Province, Republic of South Vietnam 1967-1968 |
| Pictured above; Moe, Larry and Curly........ Not necessarily pictured in that order. You draw your own conclusions as to who's who. Or witch is witch |
IN LOVING MEMORY
TFB 1967-1968
VIDALIA, GA. 2006