Excerpt from Interview conducted by New Jersey Vietnam Veterans Memorial Foundation.
Pat Julian Vellucci is a Vietnam Veteran docent at the NJ Vietnam Veterans’ Memorial Foundation. Pat served with the 10th Cavalry and later with the 4th Admin Intel of the 4th Infantry in the Central Highlands of Vietnam from May 1967 to May 1968. He currently lives in Paramus, New Jersey.
Pat attended the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, St Peter’s College, and holds an MA from Pacific Western University. He was a founding member of the Vietnam Veterans Ensemble Theatre Company, which has received the Drama Desk and EMMY Awards; the former for Tracers co-produced with the NY Shakespeare Festival and the latter for the HBO Special, Dear America, Letters from VietnamPat has been a performer, director and producer of Theatre and TV for many years, featuring some of the biggest productions and stars in the entertainment business.
Where did you grow up? What was it like growing up there?
I was born and raised in Union City, Hudson County and educated at a penal institution called Holy Family Catholic School. For as long as I can remember I spent my life playing any kind of ball. sports saved my life you might say. Growing up without the benefit of technology and TV in particular, we made our own fun. There were many ethnic delis pumping out some terrific dishes in the neighborhood back then and we came to enjoy all of them. We grew up on “smellavision” you could say.
Why did you join the military?
Firstly, you are supposing that we had a choice, when in fact you could either join, enjoy those Canadian winters, or go to jail! My family had all served, and my dad was a first Sergeant in China Burma. He hoped I would make it to West Point – no chance. Years later I was asked to be a part of the Vietnam Oral History at West Point. You could say “half” the dream came through! But I do believe that everyone should serve in some capacity – even the peace corps – for the benefits of living in this country.
When and where did you serve in Vietnam?
I served from May ’67 to May ’68, through both Tet Offenses. I believe I received a one-day drop from my year’s assignment. By this time I was working in civic actions for Admin/Intel just inside the Cambodian border. It’s kind of funny with veterans because Nixon and LBJ were always telling the country that we did not cross the border to Laos or Cambodia; in truth, for the longest time that was our area of operations. Of course, looking for “truth” from those administrations would be a waste of time.
What was your job in the military?
My first job was as an assistant team leader (ATL) in the air cavalry. We would take two choppers out, or sometimes tracks, and react to any activity that needed help. We had Montagnards whom we called “kit Carsons” and medics, and all kinds of equipment. It was really exciting because although we engaged a lot, it was always on our terms and from our position.
What was your favorite memory of your time during Vietnam?
That’s quite easy to answer – The award-winning author and veteran, David O’Brian, believes if you hear a war story that leaves you feeling uplifted then you’ve been had; And perhaps for the most part that may be true. But there are exceptions. We were assigned to visit a bunch of villages that were being harassed and taken advantage of in the worst ways. It was unusual because they were looking for more than the usual info/intel which we would bring back. On this assignment, they wanted blood revenge. Anyway, without going into a long “war story”, we set up a basic ambush and took care of business. The NVA leader was this horrid-looking guy right out of a B movie who must have been particularly cruel because the villagers wanted to tear him apart. Everyone was crying and praising us. One beautiful young girl, maybe 15, and her mother were wailing away; the kid, we were told, had been brutally abused by this guy on numerous occasions. the mother grabbed me and hugged me and through her tears said, “I told my daughter to be strong. The Americans will come.” Well, I just lost it. I lose it now after all these years. Without apologies to Mr. OBrian.
Who was your favorite person that you met while serving and why?
In the service there is such a rank as a “Field First” – he’s the First Sergeant operating literally in the field, in the air or on the ground depending on where he needed to be. He was as tough as they come, working in his third war, and concerned only with the safety of his “kids” – which is how he referred to us. He was a rather, ah, vulgar trooper, and I can’t repeat any of his one-liners or stories! What I can tell you is he was as kind and caring as he was tough; a more courageous soldier you could not find. A man’s man who had the respect of every soldier and every villager he came across.
Heaven rest, Sergeant Densmore.
What do you wish more people knew about life in the military during Vietnam?
Well, for every soldier, there is a family unit torn apart. A child without a dad, a wife without a husband, and parents without their prized possessions: their children.
There is a wide chasm between the veteran and his counterpart. Most of America is looking for a pass with “Thank you for your service” to make up for decades of disrespect and, worse yet, blame. mostly I am sorry for the image put upon us for so many years. I’m sorry that people were not aware that after a certain point many soldiers, including career men, were unhappy with the war and the strategies being employed. But they did their job and put their lives on the line anyway. And it was not for mom and apple pie, but rather for the guy –and gal–(and more on her later) next to them. For the most part, it was done with great honor and integrity. For every Mi Lia incident and the sick cowards that led and executed that horror, there were thousands of young men and women who didn’t. For all the lifer officers and wanna-be tough guys trying to enhance their careers, there were countless honorable leaders–real tough guys– employing their troops aggressively but always conscious of NOT taking casualties. never sacrificing people’s children for someone’s unrealistic objective. It took decades for the media to portray such veterans. And even now, countless women, such as Captain Eleanor Alexander who is celebrated on our wall, are lost to history.
What was it coming home like?
My luck just wouldn’t give out. Besides a big Italian family who was very supportive and my First Sergeant dad, neighbors were all at my house at about 2AM. Everyone was crying and filled with joy – my brother was asleep upstairs and he came flying down the steps and jumped in my arms. I recall thinking how lucky I was. And I still think that today.
What did you do for work/career when you came home?
Being in the field I couldn’t spend any of my money, and my card skills hadn’t left me, so I had a pretty good bank roll when I came home. I bought a really hot T-Bird and after hitting all the Tracks up here, I went down to Florida and bet most of it on Jali and the dogs. I auditioned for the American Academy of Dramatic Arts in New York, which worked out well. I was lucky enough to get work as an actor soon after and toured all over the country working opposite big stars that I had seen on TV and in films. I can remember pinching myself backstage thinking, Oh my God, how did I get so lucky! Later I became a director of stage, Tv, and commercials and then a producer, running a few of the finest theatres in the country.
Why did you start volunteering here at the Memorial?
It’s been about many years now. My mother saw an ad for the Memorial and suggested I drive over. As with all my mom’s suggestions, it turned out to be a wonderful situation. I was diagnosed with cancer soon after and the guys really took care of me, with suggestions and stories of their own maladies. I came to volunteer, and I ended up finding a community of brothers and sisters. It’s that luck of mine!
Pat is now living with kidney disease, caused by his exposure to Agent Orange. Despite being reliant on dialysis, he continues to give back by volunteering at the NJVVMM as a docent and Creative Director.
A living kidney donor is the best chance Pat has to live the rest of his life free from dialysis. Veterans like Pat have done so much for our country. Let us help Pat live the rest of his life free from the constraints and limitations of dialysis.
Please contact DOVE to learn if you can be Pat’s hero. Phone 551-449-8319. Email Info@dovetransplant.org.