Vietnam veterans honored at dinner
Laughter and good feelings formed a big part of a local dinner to honor Vietnam veterans as part of the nation’s 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War.
The event was a dinner on April 12 prepared by the Trammels Trace Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
“We invited the Vietnam War veterans especially, but also all veterans, to this noontime dinner to show our thanks and appreciation,” Traci Jones, regent of the Trammels Trace DAR chapter said.
About 75 people showed up, a turnout that elated the DAR members.
“It’s our first event after deciding to partner with the government to publicly thank Vietnam veterans,” another DAR member said.
The 50th Anniversary Commemoration for Veterans of the Vietnam War was authorized by Congress in 2012. Commemorative partners are encouraged to bring this recognition to life in hometown America.
By presidential proclamation of May 25, 2012, the commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025. During this time, local partners are to conduct activities that thank and honor Vietnam veterans in local communities.
The atmosphere of the luncheon at the J. E. Manning American Legion post was relaxed and informal. The crowd sang patriotic songs, said prayers and recited pledges. Each serviceman got the chance to stand, give his name, tell his rank and say a little about his experience.
As all military personnel do, they laughed and joked about themselves and others and their experiences. But when each spoke, he also did so with serenity, describing events large and small experienced during this painful chapter in U.S. history.
One DAR member at the back of the room had tears in her eyes.
“After hearing these men talk, it reminds me that I was so frivolous at the time these men were serving,” she said.
Each veteran received a certificate and lapel pin, which goes to each living veteran who served between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975.
The veterans seemed to enjoy the dinner and the chance to reflect on the war now that 50 years has past.
The eldestat 88 years, Cleo Duncan, spoke for a moment to point out the absence of anyone else his age and representing his period of service.
“I’d signed up in 1946 just as the war was ending. I didn’t go. But when the Korean War came, I signed up again and went for four years. Now everyone who remembers those times is gone,” he said.
Clyde Berry brought the room down with laughter when he spoke about joining to serve, also at a last moment.
“When I got inducted, why the other side heard about it and so ended the conflict a few days later,” he said.
This 50th anniversary commemorative not only thanks the Vietnam veteran but also recognizes the contributions by American citizens, the advances made in technology, science and medicine and the roll of the Allies, i.e., Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of Korea and Thailand.
Members of the Trammel’s
Trace DAR will conduct other veteran recognition programs during this period of their partnering with the Vietnam War Commemoration effort.