thedrifter
05-18-08, 08:43 AM
VIETNAM VETERANS RECOGNITION CEREMONY
1:40 AM
Medals of honor
RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent
PRINGLE – Some came on motorcycles and others drove family vehicles, some were dressed in suits and others casually, but they all had one thing in common – the time they served their country in Vietnam.
Approximately 150 of those Vietnam veterans were honored Saturday by state Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, when she hosted the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony as part of Armed Forces Day at the West Side Area Vocational- Technical School.
The veterans from the Wilkes-Barre Area were honored with patriotic hymns sung by the Wyoming Valley West High School Band and Concert Choir, the “presentation of the colors” by Marine Squadron 472 from Wyoming and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, salutes from Boy Scout Troop 352 from West Pittston and a standing ovation from bleachers filled with friends and family. Mundy said her office staff worked for months to reach out to the Wilkes-Barre area Vietnam veterans and their families.
During her keynote address, Mundy became emotional when talking about the way Vietnam veterans were mistreated and even vilified when they returned home. “They deserved a warm homecoming.”
“Your service is an important part of the history of this country and should never be forgotten,” she told them.
She added they still persevered despite fighting in the longest and most unpopular war in United States history. Pennsylvania lost 3,100 of 350,000 personnel from the state during the war with countless others suffering from life-changing injuries, illness caused by exposure to chemicals such as Agent Orange, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.
“We do honor your sacrifice and heroism,” she said.
Mundy hung a commemorative medal over the neck of each veteran. Afterward, approximately 65 Army, 30 Marines, 20 Navy and 15 Air Force veterans stood when the anthem for each corps was played by the school band.
Glen Lyon resident Bernie Mihneski, who served as a marine in 1965 and 1966 and his brother Michael, of Nanticoke, who served in the army from 1969 to 1970, both agreed the ceremony gave them a good feeling.
“We didn’t get appreciated when we got back here then,” Bernie said.
“This brings back a lot of memories,” added Michael. He thinks about the friends he made there and the ones who did not make it back home.
Maxwell Marcus, who served in the army in 1969 and 1970, said nobody likes to talk about Vietnam. “Even on parade days, the only ones that care are the veterans,” he added. Marcus is the vice commander of the American Legion in Exeter.
He added he can’t describe the good feelings he got from this ceremony.
“Once you’re in you’re in for life,” Marcus added.
This ceremony marks the third recognition ceremony hosted by Mundy. Last year, she honored veterans of the Korean War and the year before, World War II veterans.
Ellie
1:40 AM
Medals of honor
RALPH NARDONE Times Leader Correspondent
PRINGLE – Some came on motorcycles and others drove family vehicles, some were dressed in suits and others casually, but they all had one thing in common – the time they served their country in Vietnam.
Approximately 150 of those Vietnam veterans were honored Saturday by state Rep. Phyllis Mundy, D-Kingston, when she hosted the Vietnam Veterans Recognition Ceremony as part of Armed Forces Day at the West Side Area Vocational- Technical School.
The veterans from the Wilkes-Barre Area were honored with patriotic hymns sung by the Wyoming Valley West High School Band and Concert Choir, the “presentation of the colors” by Marine Squadron 472 from Wyoming and the Pennsylvania Army National Guard, salutes from Boy Scout Troop 352 from West Pittston and a standing ovation from bleachers filled with friends and family. Mundy said her office staff worked for months to reach out to the Wilkes-Barre area Vietnam veterans and their families.
During her keynote address, Mundy became emotional when talking about the way Vietnam veterans were mistreated and even vilified when they returned home. “They deserved a warm homecoming.”
“Your service is an important part of the history of this country and should never be forgotten,” she told them.
She added they still persevered despite fighting in the longest and most unpopular war in United States history. Pennsylvania lost 3,100 of 350,000 personnel from the state during the war with countless others suffering from life-changing injuries, illness caused by exposure to chemicals such as Agent Orange, and post-traumatic stress disorder, she said.
“We do honor your sacrifice and heroism,” she said.
Mundy hung a commemorative medal over the neck of each veteran. Afterward, approximately 65 Army, 30 Marines, 20 Navy and 15 Air Force veterans stood when the anthem for each corps was played by the school band.
Glen Lyon resident Bernie Mihneski, who served as a marine in 1965 and 1966 and his brother Michael, of Nanticoke, who served in the army from 1969 to 1970, both agreed the ceremony gave them a good feeling.
“We didn’t get appreciated when we got back here then,” Bernie said.
“This brings back a lot of memories,” added Michael. He thinks about the friends he made there and the ones who did not make it back home.
Maxwell Marcus, who served in the army in 1969 and 1970, said nobody likes to talk about Vietnam. “Even on parade days, the only ones that care are the veterans,” he added. Marcus is the vice commander of the American Legion in Exeter.
He added he can’t describe the good feelings he got from this ceremony.
“Once you’re in you’re in for life,” Marcus added.
This ceremony marks the third recognition ceremony hosted by Mundy. Last year, she honored veterans of the Korean War and the year before, World War II veterans.
Ellie