Club makes deliveries to Paragould veterans
PARAGOULD — Veterans in Paragould’s assisted-living facilities were honored with embroidered robes and letters from Arkansas Gov. Asa Hutchinson during Christmas week.
Members of the Vietnam Vets/Legacy Vets Motorcycle Club made the deliveries.
“All we are trying to do is to let these veterans know that they are not forgotten,” said Kenny Wright, the club’s treasurer and vice president.
“We want them to know that there are still people out there who remember and appreciate the service they gave to their nation all those years ago.”
The club, part of a 50-state and seven-country organization, presented the robes embroidered with each veteran’s branch of service at Chateau on the Ridge Assisted Living Center, Belle Meade Rehabilitation and Guest Care Facility, Greene Acres Nursing Home and Sunshine Manor Retirement Home.
Wright said the club presents area veterans with items such as blankets and toiletries throughout the year, as well.
“We do this for them, not us,” Wright said. “Often when we come into a retirement facility they recognize us, and we salute them, and it is really that simple. We want to let them know that the brotherhood we all knew from being in the service is still there.”
Club President Teddy Lamb said it is important for people to recognize the importance of aging veterans.
“As veterans, we signed a symbolic check to our government for them to do whatever they wanted with us,” said Lamb. “Because of that, it is an honor to be able to get out and present these veterans with something, because we couldn’t and wouldn’t exist in the world we know today if it were not for the sacrifices these veterans made.”
Other members of the club who delivered items were Steve Edwards and Eric Reckling.
“As a club, we aren’t just Vietnam vets or vets who served in combat,” Lamb said. “We are open to all veterans, and we have members in our club who have served in Iraq and Afghanistan.”
“Our common purpose here is to ensure that these veterans are recognized and that they are not forgotten,” Wright said. “This isn’t a competition of any kind, and it isn’t to gain recognition for our own club or efforts, but to make sure that these men and women understand that they are not alone.”