State honors 41 veterans for serving during Vietnam War

On the day 41 members of the Disabled American Veterans Chapter 7 were recognized for service during the Vietnam War, retired Sgt. Maj. Robert Spencer thought about the shrapnel he took in his leg during a firefight in May 1966.

“We have come a long way,” Spencer said Saturday after he and others were recognized with a Certificate of Service from the Georgia Department of Veterans Service. They also received a lapel pin.

The ceremony at the National Civil War Naval Museum at Port Columbus was the second in the Columbus area over the last week. The program is part of the state’s effort to recognize 234,000 Georgia veterans who served in the armed forces during the Vietnam War. The honor started as a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the war.

Spencer said he volunteered to serve in Vietnam while stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky. He was assigned with the 173rd Airborne Brigade when he was crossing a river and came under heavy fire. The brigade lost almost 1,800 soldiers from 1965-1971 in Vietnam.

“We got involved in a firefight and we couldn’t see who we were shooting at and they were shooting at us,” Spencer said. “Something hit me. We were surrounded.”

Spencer, a native of Washington and resident of Columbus, survived the wound and finished his first tour in Vietnam. He returned for a second tour in 1970 to serve as a military adviser near Wei in North Vietnam.

Lani Tucker of Fort Mitchell, Ala., was in basic training when the war ended in 1975. She wasn’t deployed but served 21 years in the military before retiring.

“I think it’s absolutely terrific,” she said of the recognition. “Especially for a woman MP. It was very touching. I was probably crying when I was shaking everyone’s hand.”

Columbus Mayor Teresa Tomlinson read a proclamation recognizing all Vietnam veterans and Vietnam Era vets for their service.

“It is the sacrifice that stays with you for the rest of your life,” said the mayor, who was born in 1965, the year the United States entered the war. “We give thanks and give honor.”

This story was originally published March 19, 2016 at 8:18 PM with the headline "State honors 41 veterans for serving during Vietnam War."