“From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion ...”
— President Abraham Lincoln, 1863
We’re halfway through the year, meaning it’s time to take stock of how we’re doing, refocus on what matters, and get back to the good work of living well and doing right in this too-short life.
For me, the growing national observance known as Fidelity Month is a great way to do that.
Fidelity Month, according to FidelityMonth.com, “celebrates June as a season of rededication to God, our spouses and families, and our country and communities.”
I kicked off the month in a powerful and emotional way. I visited the Washington state Vietnam War memorial wall at the state Capitol campus. This miniature version of the national Vietnam Memorial, tucked in a quiet alcove, was bedecked with flags when I visited a few days after Memorial Day — one flag for each of the 1,124 state residents killed or missing in Vietnam.
It’s incredibly overwhelming to see all these names. As I scanned through them, one in particular stood out.
Chief Warrant Officer Robert M. Dowling is the first name listed in 1966. He lived in Chehalis with his wife and young family when his nation called.
His time in Vietnam was harrowing, with a close call that he described in a letter back home. The next day he came under fire again. After being shot down near the coast of the South China Sea, he waved a rescue chopper to save his co-pilot first. That heroism was his final act. He died in the water, becoming Lewis County’s first casualty in the Vietnam War.
Six decades later, his story can still move a man to tears. It can also steel one’s resolve.
As I prayed for our state and nation to begin Fidelity Month, I also prayed God would give me strength in my roles as a husband, father, community member, volunteer servant-leader, and American citizen.
I pray that I am courageous with fidelity in even a small fraction of the measure shown by these men and women who gave everything for our country.
All the soldiers at our war memorials gave everything. President Abraham Lincoln described the same spirit on the battlefield of Gettysburg. I pray that we can be spared the blood and death of war, but we still have battles to fight right here. We can and must stand up with courage in whatever way is required of us.
Who knows what battles are ahead for me, for you, for our families, our towns, this state, these United States. We’ll face hard choices. Fidelity Month is a good time to dedicate ourselves to doing that hard work together, with a shared spirit of self-sacrifice.
As Robert Dowling left for war, he had one last conversation with his 4-year-old son, Bobby. A lifetime later, he remembers them vividly.
“He came into my bedroom. He was in his uniform,” Bobby told The News Tribune in 2023. “I just remember standing up and he gave me a hug. And he said, ‘You’re man of the house now, Bobby. You take care of your mom and your sisters’.”
“And I always have,” Bobby said, his voice choked with emotion.
I can and will do my part, too. I invite you to join me in that spirit of fidelity.
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Speaking of keeping promises, there is great news to report about the Dowling family.
In February they received word that a promise made to Robert’s widow, Mary, in 1966 is going to be kept.
She was assured at the time that she would be able to be buried alongside her fallen war hero husband at Fort Lewis. But three years ago she and her family were shocked to learn that the grave site she had been promised in her grief half a century ago had been used to bury another veteran. The Army said there was nothing they could do.
The family refused to accept that and kept pushing for the Army to keep its word.
After years of pushing back and advocacy directly to the White House last year, Bobby Dowling talked with the U.S. Army undersecretary and they came to an agreement that is acceptable to his mother. When the time comes, Mary Dowling, now 87, will be buried next to her husband.
A life given for a nation, a lifetime of love, and a promise kept.
Faithfulness and fidelity.
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In a Facebook post about my visit to the state’s war memorial, I received several comments about two of the two dozen other local soldiers we lost in Vietnam. Michael Hogue attended school in Boistfort and is remembered by his classmate Phyllis Kiser Burnett. He was killed in combat while serving in Vietnam in July of 1968.
Rene Malarz (pronounced “Rainy”), who grew up on a farm in the community of St. Urban, was the first soldier from Winlock’s high school to die in Vietnam, according to Walt Morgan, who attended school with his older brother.
“A soldier dies twice for his country,” Morgan said, “at time of death and sadly the second time when the name is no longer said ... Always say their name ... Never Forgotten.”
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Brian Mittge is a community enthusiast who has written for The Chronicle since 2000 as a reporter, editor and columnist. He can be reached at brianmittge@hotmail.com.
