The U.S. Army recognized Vietnam veteran Patrick A. Tiessonniere June 11, during a historical presentation put on by the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment, known as the Twilight Tattoo. The event took place at Fort Myer in Virginia.
Tiessonniere was a Silver Star medal recipient, which is the nation's third-highest military decoration for valor. The Silver Star can be gained by engaging the enemy and fighting in support of a friendly foreign force. During the Twilight Tattoo, he recounted stories of his deployment for the audience, which was mostly made up of local schoolchildren. In one story, he remembered a time when his commander, Col. John A. Hemphill, came face to face with a member of the Viet Cong.
"[Hemphill] told me his life flashed before him. He thought he was dead. But as he was looking at him, the enemy soldier keeled over. He had been shot," Tiessonniere said, according to the Army News Service . "My platoon saved [Hemphill's] life that day."
During his life after service, Tiessonniere is currently working for the U.S. Army Military District of Washington, at Fort Lesley J. McNair. Tiessonniere has kept his memories alive and is writing a book based on his life during the Vietnam War.
This week's Twilight Tattoo was dedicated to veterans of the Vietnam War. Tiessonniere was serving as a representative of the Vietnam veterans. The event is a live-action military pageant that seeks to explore military history and highlight those who have served their country. The Twilight Tattoo is a weekly event that runs about an hour and is free to the public. It is held every Wednesday in the summer and begins at 6:45. Some performers involved include The U.S. Army Blues, vocalists from The U.S. Army Band Downrange and U.S. Army Voices, The Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps and The U.S. Army Drill Team, according to the events website.