Alabamas Vietnam Veterans Finally Get Recognized

This week’s Feel-Good Friday is an homage to our Vietnam veterans. I used to be honored to attend a “Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Lapel Pin Ceremony” at the University of North Alabama in downtown Florence. U.S. Congressman Robert Aderholt (R-AL) is on the House of Representatives’ Veterans’ Affairs Committee, so he needed to honor the Vietnam veterans in his district to commemorate the fiftieth anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War.

April 30, 1975, marked the Fall of Saigon, and the inglorious end to the Vietnam War, where over 58,000 males and girls never made it home. Sadly, America is still making an attempt to rectify the horrible treatment this explicit group of veterans acquired, and in some methods is still receiving. Because of the controversy over the struggle and its outcomes, on their return home, many Vietnam veterans suffered scorn and abuse, and didn’t obtain the help and providers they rightly deserved and desperately needed. In distinction to the World War II veterans returning from war–who acquired parades, accolades, and thanks–for the Vietnam veterans, there have been no parades. The majority of the American people also shunned them, somewhat than embraced them, making their integration back into society tough. 

Read More: Feel-Good Friday: Navy Veterans Who Married on V-J Day Celebrate eightieth Anniversary in 2025

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Part of Rep. Aderholt’s intention in organizing these ceremonies was to apologize for that, and to acknowledge their service and sacrifice in what was a tough struggle and a tough period in our nation’s historical past. A press release about the occasions quoted him as saying:

“These males and girls served our nation with braveness during a tough chapter in our historical past, and many never acquired the popularity they so rightfully deserved when they returned home. These ceremonies are a small but heartfelt approach to say, ‘thank you’ on behalf of a grateful nation.”

One of the veterans I spoke with, Sgt. Thomas McKnight (Ret. Air Force), was merely glad to be alive to see it. At 80 years previous, he had suffered a stroke that may have been catastrophic. But he was recovering properly, ready to get around without a cane, and spoke in full sentences without a hitch. Sgt. McKnight’s stunning smile mirrored his gratitude toward being acknowledged after too many many years.

I knew my close by neighbor and local honey provider, Charles “Fred” Joly, was a veteran, but I didn’t know he had served in Vietnam, so it was a privilege to see him get his pin. Joly was there with his spouse Linda, and he proudly allowed me to {photograph} his pin, along with his stunning bride.

The total crowd was over 400, with 177 veterans in attendance to obtain their pin and certificates. Many veterans had handed away within the 50-year time span, so their youngsters or a beloved one stood in proxy for them. One daughter carried the image of her veteran father, as she proudly acquired the commemorative pin in his honor.

Veteran Leonard Sheffield was guided by his son, John, as he walked up to obtain his pin. Sheffield said, “My son takes care of me. He does everything for me.” 

I had noticed them both as they entered the building, and John mirrored his love and care for his father as he helped him through the corridor and discovered just the best seat. It was his pleasure to guarantee his father was there to obtain this important recognition.

And it was the enjoyment of UNA employees and college students, the people of Florence, Muscle Shoals, Tuscumbia, and Sheffield (the Shoals), and other cities in North Alabama who have been in attendance to cheer each and every veteran on as they stepped up to be honored. That is the great pleasure of dwelling in a small city. Whether it is household, pals, or a neighbor, the neighborhood comes together to have a good time and embrace what is sweet. Being surrounded by the weight of historical past, along with the affect of a neighborhood that seeks to honor those who served, was an encouraging and uplifting approach to start the weekend.

One veteran wore a shirt that read, “All gave some. Some gave all.” Amen. If there’s a Vietnam veteran in your life or neighborhood, maybe discover a approach to show them your gratitude for their service, which has too long been disregarded.  

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