New license plate honors Vietnam War veterans

Dean Wyatt (center) shows off new license plate flanked by Rep. DeWitt McCraw (left) and state Senator Harvey Peeler. Dean Wyatt fought many battles while a Marine machine gunner serving in Vietnam from 1968-’69, but the one he fought three decades later against the state Legislature was more frustrating than any of them.

The outcome, however, was much more satisfying.

Wyatt’s 4-year quest to honor Vietnam veterans living in South Carolina was fulfilled in June when the House and Senate passed legislation approving the issuance of a Vietnam War Veterans special license plate.

“Vietnam veterans have never gotten the recognition they deserve,” Wyatt said. “When I drove to Charlotte to work every day, I’d see Vietnam veterans tags everywhere. Almost every state on the Eastern seaboard offers one. But we didn’t.”

So Wyatt took it upon himself to find out why.

That was back in 2001.

“I wrote letters to everyone I could think of and Rep. Olin Phillips (D — Gaffney) and Bob

Peeler, who was then the lieutenant governor, responded.”

They steered Wyatt to the Department of Motor Vehicles in Columbia, where he was informed that special legislation is required for the issuance of special license plates.

“DeWitt (McCraw, D — Gaffney) introduced a bill in 2002 and from there it went in and out of committees and back and forth from the House to the Senate,” Wyatt said. “It was extremely frustrating.”

But now that the special tag is about to be issued, Wyatt says it was all worth it. “It took a lot of time and effort and I had to put up a $4,000 deposit, but thanks to the hard work and help of a lot of people, our Vietnam veterans will get a little recognition for their sacrifices,” he said.

Although it wasn’t

mandatory,

Wyatt wanted to

have the plate designed before the bill was introduced.

“Getting the artwork of the Vietnam service medal was the toughest part. No government agency seemed to have anything I could use,” he said.

Just when he was running out of options, Wyatt happened to see a calendar with pictures of all types of service medals.

“I contacted the publisher, Frank Foster of Medals of America, and he was able to supply me with a perfect image. From there Image Plus here in Gaffney created the final design.”

The Vietnam War Veterans license plate goes on sale Monday, Nov. 28, to those who served on active duty in Vietnam during the period of February 28, 1961, to May 7, 1975. The motor vehicle owner must present the department with a DD214 or other official documentation that states that he was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal or that he served on active duty in Vietnam, along with his application for this special license plate.

The biennial tag has to be renewed every two years and cost $20 in addition to the regular registration fee.

Wyatt said he will receive a refund of his deposit once 400 tags are sold.

“A lot of people were helpful throughout this process, but I especially want to thank Sen. Harvey Peeler (R — Gaffney) and his chief of staff Scott Ramsey; Dewitt McCraw, Kelly Little of Image Plus and Frank Foster,” Wyatt said. “Also, Senator Greg Ryberg and Reps. Bob Walker and Jimmy Neal were a big help.”

Wyatt graduated from Gaffney High School in 1968 where he played quarterback under legendary football coach Bob Prevatte. He married Peggy Beheler in November 1968, just one month before he was deployed to Vietnam. Their daughter, Cindy, was born while he was overseas.

Wyatt has been employed by Duke Power for 35 years, joining the company shortly after his discharge from the Marines.