Vietnam-era veterans are honored at ceremony in Stonington
— In a ceremony Stonington honoring Vietnam War-era veterans on Monday, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said that World War II and Korean War veterans were welcomed home and celebrated when they returned from war. But Vietnam veterans did not receive the same treatment.
“They did not have the ticker tape parades, or the warm welcomes, and sometimes not even a thank you, and in fact, many did not even wear their uniforms home, or they faced protests and jeers,” she said, adding, “We are holding this ceremony today to say thank you. We have learned so much from your generation.”
Local Vietnam War-era veterans were honored by local and state officials in an award ceremony at Stonington High School. Bysiewicz was joined by state Sen. Heather Somers, R-Groton, state Rep. Aundré Bumgardner, D-Groton, state Rep. Greg Howard, R-Stonington, and First Selectman Danielle Chesebrough to pay tribute to more than 100 local veterans and family members who attended the event.
The veterans were presented with certificates honoring their service, including Army veteran Pierce Keppel, who, when given the opportunity to speak about his service, chose instead to talk about a childhood friend he lost in the war.
“He was a navigator on an aircraft carrier, and his plane went down, and he lost his life, so I just want to give thanks for Alan Dunning,” he said.
Phil Pavone, an Army veteran who served from 1969 to 1970, also talked about the reception that greeted veterans returning home from Vietnam, saying that they were not welcomed home.
“It takes years to get over that. It still brings a tear to my eye,” he said.
Stonington resident Linda Schwartz, a former flight nurse in the Air Force and former Veterans Affairs commissioner, said that she was once asked by a student in a classroom if the Vietnam War was worth it.
“Yes. It was not a waste for us,” she said emphatically. “You can write a check for a lot of things, but you cannot write a check for freedom.”
Howard said that legislators have many disagreements at the capital, but the one thing they always agree on is their commitment and gratitude for veterans of the armed forces.
“Without you, we wouldn’t have a legislature; we wouldn’t have the greatest country in the world, the greatest government in the world,” he said.
Somers said the war was a defining moment in the country’s history, and she noted the challenges the veterans faced and the sacrifices they had made.
“You veterans represent the best of America, and we are proud to stand in your presence today,” she told them.