thedrifter
10-17-05, 06:52 AM
A thanks a long time coming
A ceremony in Spring Hill marked the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam War's end and honored those who served there. "Better late than never," said one attendee.
By MARYAN PELLAND
Published October 17, 2005
SPRING HILL - Soldiers returned from Vietnam without celebrations or fanfare. They staged their own parades in New York, then Chicago and San Francisco.
Saturday afternoon, in Hernando County, they were honored, finally. On the 30th anniversary of the war's end they heard: "Welcome home. And thanks."
Men in their 50s or older, once soldiers in their teens or 20s, sat in the Florida sun, remembering days when a brutal sun shone on Quang Tri, Da Nang, Bin Hoa and other villages where they fought. About 200 veterans sat on metal chairs with family and friends Saturday, hearing words of welcome, encouragement and thanks for a job well done.
"Better late than never," said Bill Ealey of Florida Rolling Thunder Chapter 7, a POW/MIA activist group. "When I got back, I got spit on, called a drug-crazed baby-killer. This is good. It's time."
Rolling Thunder, a national club, says the Vietnam War is not over because an unknown number of soldiers is still missing.
Bob Fernandez, Jim Stepanek, Rick Parker, Bill Ealey and Bob Avedisian opened the celebration at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 by riding down the center aisle on motorcycles.
After local Marines and ROTC members posted the U.S. flag and flags for each branch of the military, Rolling Thunder brought forward the somber black flag of POWs and MIAs. They displayed it with a white cross and a funeral wreath. The crowd was silent, more than one pair of eyes damp with tears.
Frank Anderson of the Marine Corps welcomed the audience, saying, "Yours was the 10,000-day war born of the Vietnamese's desire to be free and fueled by communist ideology. You met the call of duty, shouldered your burdens and returned with valor, courage and commitment. We respect, admire and thank you."
The national anthem followed the Pledge of Allegiance. Men, women and children stood silently as some veterans who used wheelchairs struggled to stand and salute.
They listened carefully, and they wore their feelings on their shirts and hats. Slogans were everywhere: "We will not forget." "MIA/POW." "Vietnam Veteran." They listened as dignitaries told them what they needed to hear, what they say they already knew.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, one of the event's sponsors, presented commemorative coins to veterans who registered with her office.
"I felt one of the best ways to honor you was this coin," she said. "The front carries an eagle, depicting freedom you guaranteed all over the world. The back represents your service, facing danger and fear with courage that made you heroes. We're proud of you. Your nation and Congress thank you."
On many of the faces, a slow, quiet smile appeared. The vets looked at each other and nodded.
About 57,000 Americans died in Vietnam. They were remembered and mentioned by all.
One veteran walked the perimeter of the crowd, clutching four green photo albums. Army platoon Sgt. Merle Hardee of Brooksville showed photos of his men and citations for combat service.
"See what war does to young men?" he said. "Today is good, to recognize us all. How do I feel? Numb for 36 years."
Henry Wright of Brooksville, an Army medic in Long Bien 1967 and 1968, said: "We think about it and we talk about it among ourselves. It's still there. But today is right."
He smiled.
The audience was composed of veterans of varying ages. Some served in the Persian Gulf War or in Iraq. Some served in the Korean War, still waiting for their recognition. And there were military mothers, wives, sisters.
"We were married for seven months when he went," said Carol Denham of Spring Hill.
Her husband, Bob, was turning his commemorative coin over and over in his hand.
"They said he wouldn't go there, so we married," Carol said. "Then he was in Vietnam just like that. When he came home a year later, there was no one to talk to about what happened. No help. It wasn't good."
She's proud, and always has been.
"I am so happy to see this today," she said.
As coins were handed out and shown around, the crowd's mood lightened with joking and soft laughter.
A veteran walked across the lawn after receiving his award. His wife bubbled: "Jack, let me see!"
He grinned, held the coin out of reach and teased: "Hey, I earned this. You just get a little peek."
Brown-Waite continued her remarks, echoing a frequent sentiment:
"I want you to keep our current soldiers in your hearts. It would be a shame if they came home to a reception like you received. Let them know you care and appreciate them. Hopefully, we have learned from our experience in Vietnam and don't repeat past mistakes."
Jim Scott of Brooksville, an Air Force medic from 1969 to 1972, said he admired Brown-Waite for her work on behalf of Hernando County veterans.
"She doesn't talk about it a lot, but she's always out there for our interests. A real crusader," he said.
Donald Sloan was nearly the last man in line to receive his coin. He wheeled himself across the lawn and beamed as Brown-Waite bent to kiss his cheek.
"Thanks for serving," she told him.
Chaplain William Webb's convocation prayer summed up the afternoon.
"Grant us serenity and peace," he said. "We remember Vietnam. We remember heat, humidity and rain. We are proud to be Americans. We also remember there are men and women in Iraq. Protect them, and ensure their safe return. God bless the U.S.A."
--Maryan Pelland can be reached at mkpelland@gmail.com
Ellie
A ceremony in Spring Hill marked the 30th anniversary of the Vietnam War's end and honored those who served there. "Better late than never," said one attendee.
By MARYAN PELLAND
Published October 17, 2005
SPRING HILL - Soldiers returned from Vietnam without celebrations or fanfare. They staged their own parades in New York, then Chicago and San Francisco.
Saturday afternoon, in Hernando County, they were honored, finally. On the 30th anniversary of the war's end they heard: "Welcome home. And thanks."
Men in their 50s or older, once soldiers in their teens or 20s, sat in the Florida sun, remembering days when a brutal sun shone on Quang Tri, Da Nang, Bin Hoa and other villages where they fought. About 200 veterans sat on metal chairs with family and friends Saturday, hearing words of welcome, encouragement and thanks for a job well done.
"Better late than never," said Bill Ealey of Florida Rolling Thunder Chapter 7, a POW/MIA activist group. "When I got back, I got spit on, called a drug-crazed baby-killer. This is good. It's time."
Rolling Thunder, a national club, says the Vietnam War is not over because an unknown number of soldiers is still missing.
Bob Fernandez, Jim Stepanek, Rick Parker, Bill Ealey and Bob Avedisian opened the celebration at the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 10209 by riding down the center aisle on motorcycles.
After local Marines and ROTC members posted the U.S. flag and flags for each branch of the military, Rolling Thunder brought forward the somber black flag of POWs and MIAs. They displayed it with a white cross and a funeral wreath. The crowd was silent, more than one pair of eyes damp with tears.
Frank Anderson of the Marine Corps welcomed the audience, saying, "Yours was the 10,000-day war born of the Vietnamese's desire to be free and fueled by communist ideology. You met the call of duty, shouldered your burdens and returned with valor, courage and commitment. We respect, admire and thank you."
The national anthem followed the Pledge of Allegiance. Men, women and children stood silently as some veterans who used wheelchairs struggled to stand and salute.
They listened carefully, and they wore their feelings on their shirts and hats. Slogans were everywhere: "We will not forget." "MIA/POW." "Vietnam Veteran." They listened as dignitaries told them what they needed to hear, what they say they already knew.
Rep. Ginny Brown-Waite, one of the event's sponsors, presented commemorative coins to veterans who registered with her office.
"I felt one of the best ways to honor you was this coin," she said. "The front carries an eagle, depicting freedom you guaranteed all over the world. The back represents your service, facing danger and fear with courage that made you heroes. We're proud of you. Your nation and Congress thank you."
On many of the faces, a slow, quiet smile appeared. The vets looked at each other and nodded.
About 57,000 Americans died in Vietnam. They were remembered and mentioned by all.
One veteran walked the perimeter of the crowd, clutching four green photo albums. Army platoon Sgt. Merle Hardee of Brooksville showed photos of his men and citations for combat service.
"See what war does to young men?" he said. "Today is good, to recognize us all. How do I feel? Numb for 36 years."
Henry Wright of Brooksville, an Army medic in Long Bien 1967 and 1968, said: "We think about it and we talk about it among ourselves. It's still there. But today is right."
He smiled.
The audience was composed of veterans of varying ages. Some served in the Persian Gulf War or in Iraq. Some served in the Korean War, still waiting for their recognition. And there were military mothers, wives, sisters.
"We were married for seven months when he went," said Carol Denham of Spring Hill.
Her husband, Bob, was turning his commemorative coin over and over in his hand.
"They said he wouldn't go there, so we married," Carol said. "Then he was in Vietnam just like that. When he came home a year later, there was no one to talk to about what happened. No help. It wasn't good."
She's proud, and always has been.
"I am so happy to see this today," she said.
As coins were handed out and shown around, the crowd's mood lightened with joking and soft laughter.
A veteran walked across the lawn after receiving his award. His wife bubbled: "Jack, let me see!"
He grinned, held the coin out of reach and teased: "Hey, I earned this. You just get a little peek."
Brown-Waite continued her remarks, echoing a frequent sentiment:
"I want you to keep our current soldiers in your hearts. It would be a shame if they came home to a reception like you received. Let them know you care and appreciate them. Hopefully, we have learned from our experience in Vietnam and don't repeat past mistakes."
Jim Scott of Brooksville, an Air Force medic from 1969 to 1972, said he admired Brown-Waite for her work on behalf of Hernando County veterans.
"She doesn't talk about it a lot, but she's always out there for our interests. A real crusader," he said.
Donald Sloan was nearly the last man in line to receive his coin. He wheeled himself across the lawn and beamed as Brown-Waite bent to kiss his cheek.
"Thanks for serving," she told him.
Chaplain William Webb's convocation prayer summed up the afternoon.
"Grant us serenity and peace," he said. "We remember Vietnam. We remember heat, humidity and rain. We are proud to be Americans. We also remember there are men and women in Iraq. Protect them, and ensure their safe return. God bless the U.S.A."
--Maryan Pelland can be reached at mkpelland@gmail.com
Ellie