The Morning Journal (Lorain, OH)
Recalling Vietnam 50 years later
Group commemorates anniversary of war
The Lorain Veterans Affairs Outpatient Clinic welcomed the community to its facility to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Veterans, their families and VA officials gathered in the parking lot of the Sheffield Village facility, 5255 N. Abbe Road, to enjoy a day filled with food, music and information about the services available to those who served in the military.
Jennifer Bernard, director of the clinic, welcomed the assembly to the grounds and laid out another reason for the celebration.
“It is part of our staff’s effort to recognize our veterans each and every day,” Bernard said. “Today, we would like to take a special time out to focus on the great heroes that we serve.
“I would like to take a moment to first acknowledge the 100th anniversary of the American military entering World War 1 in April 1917. While those veterans are not here with us now, we thank them nonetheless for their great sacrifice.”
After the event, Bernard said the VA tries to do a veterans’ appreciation event every year. Since there isn’t enough room in the yearold facility, they chose to hold them in the summer so as many veterans and family members can attend.
Each VA outpatient clinic in the country has held events commemorating the anniversary of the Vietnam War, she said. “They’re deserving,” Bernard said of the Vietnam veterans. “They served their country, they sacrificed and I feel the VA recognizes that more; just working with the veterans every day. It’s overdue and it’s important.”
Randy Reese, executive assistant to the director of the Cleveland VA Medical Center, also spoke at the event.
Reese highlighted the importance of the VA’s mission.
“I have the honor of working in a system that serves over 100,000 veterans,” he said. “In addition to this beautiful facility, we have 13 (community based outpatient clinics), a total of 18 locations of care.
“In those 100,000, the largest group of veterans we serve is from the Vietnam-era. It’s our privilege to serve them.”
Reese thanked the assembled for their service and highlighted the sacrifices of not only those who served, but also those who waited behind for their return.
“We all owe you a great debt of gratitude,” he said. “And if along the way anybody forgot to say it, welcome home.”
After the speeches, Vietnam War veterans who served between 1955 and May 1975 were invited to receive a commemorative pin and a copy of a commemorative proclamation.