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Vietnam War veteran Mahlon Wood lives with his family in Lamoine
Episode 3152 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about how Navy Vietnam Vet Mahlon Wood preserved his memories of the Vietnam War. The featured story is titled Vietnam veteran in Lamoine restores news story nearly five decades later. It appeared on WABI of Bangor, Maine. It was submitted by Colin Gallagher.
Galagher reported that Vietnam War veteran Mahlon Wood of Lamoine has uncovered a remarkable piece of personal and national history—footage of himself filmed during a 1970 CBS News report in Saigon. For decades, the silent 16-millimeter reel sat tucked away in drawers and boxes as Wood, like so many Vietnam veterans, tried to move past a painful homecoming marked by misunderstanding and mistreatment. His daughter, Shannon Byers, explains that although the family had the film digitized years ago, they never had the accompanying audio, which had been recorded separately. What they could see but never hear remained an emotional reminder of an era overshadowed by silence.
That changed last spring, when an old tape surfaced in Wood’s office closet. After careful remastering, the long-lost audio was reunited with the footage. At last, the complete broadcast emerged—an exchange ceremony in which U.S. Navy river patrol boats were handed over to Vietnamese forces, with Wood himself answering questions on camera for reporter Ed Rabel.
For Wood and his family, the restored broadcast brings long-awaited clarity, pride, and healing. More importantly, it shines a light on the courage, dignity, and enduring strength of all Vietnam veterans. These men and women served with honor in a war that divided a nation, and too often returned home without the welcome or respect they deserved. Wood hopes that sharing this rediscovered history will not only provide closure for his family but also help other veterans feel seen, valued, and understood. His story stands as a powerful reminder of the greatness of every Vietnam veteran and the importance of finally giving them the recognition they earned.
Listen to Episode 3152 and discover more about how Navy Vietnam Vet Mahlon Wood preserved his memories of the Vietnam War.
