More than 1,000 welcome veterans of Vietnam on eve of D-Day anniversary
More than 1,000 soldiers, family members and other supporters gathered Saturday to give Vietnam veterans the thankful homecoming some said they never received in the 1960s and 1970s.
More than 300 veterans were honored on the parade field of the National Infantry Museum and Soldier Center in Columbus. After the ceremony — which featured speaker retired Col. Ralph Puckett, Ranger Hall of Fame member and Korean and Vietnam War veteran — well-wishers approached the veterans to personally thank them for their service. They were also treated to free Huey helicopter rides and refreshments.
“It’s great,” said Ken Arnold, 73, who served about a year in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968. “It’s unbelievable — something long looked for. Before today, I could count maybe 12 people who said ‘Welcome home.’”
The homecoming ceremony fell on the day before the 66th anniversary of D-Day — when 160,000 Allied troops invaded the beaches of Normandy, France, to fight Nazi soldiers during World War II. More than 9,000 Allied soldiers were killed that day.
Those WWII veterans were among what journalist Tom Brokaw coined “the Greatest Generation” — Americans who survived the Great Depression, helped defeat Nazi Germany and went on to build modern America.
Several Vietnam veterans said their generation was different — for one, returning soldiers of their time were sometimes harassed and criticized for fighting in the controversial war. But they said they were still proud to have served their country.
The Ledger-Enquirer asked several veterans at the event the following question: “How does your generation of Vietnam veterans compare to the ‘Greatest Generation’ of WWII veterans?”
— Kenneth Miles, 64, 1st Battalion (Mechanized), 50th Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade: “We weren’t allowed to wear our uniform in public. When I got back, I was spit on. I didn’t know how to feel. It was confusing. I think that’s why a lot of Vietnam veterans turned to drugs... But I’d do it again. I love my country.”
— Billy Yarbrough, 63, 1st Air Cavalry Brigade: “I have all the respect for the WWII veterans. But I think there were more killed in Vietnam. We all served our country.”
— Andrew Lazenby, 62, 18th Military Police Brigade: “We served under extreme controversy. We didn’t have the support other returning soldiers had.”
— George Roffe, 83, U.S. Army and U.S. Navy: “It’s hard to compare. I was in WWII in the Navy also. They’re a little bit behind in recognizing us. We just came back (from Vietnam) and that’s all. Nobody really showed appreciation.”
— Ed Irby, 65, 2nd and 13th Field Artillery: “WWII vets were the Greatest Generation. You can’t beat them. (But) the Vietnam vets paved the way for a lot of veterans. We went when we were called. We didn’t hesitate.”
— Gene Lastinger, 62, 199th Infantry Brigade: “The Vietnam veterans are a close group. We have all kinds of reunions with Vietnam vets. When you get around a Vietnam vet, you can feel an aura around you that’s special.”
— C.J. DuShane, 74, 118th Aviation 1st Cavalry Division, 75th Ranger Regiment: “I was very bitter toward WWII and Korea (veterans) because they didn’t stand up for us. They finally came around.”
— Tommy Cox, 62, 199th Infantry Brigade: “(The WWII veterans) were the Greatest Generation. When they went to war, they didn’t know when they were coming back. We knew after a year we’d be getting out... It’s been 43, 44 years and this is my very first welcome home (ceremony)... I stood there and cried and called all the boys’ names who died over there. I wish they could have been here.”
— Ken Arnold, 73, Golf Company, 2nd Batallion, 3rd Marine Regiment: “(The WWII veterans) have been assigned that title (of the Greatest Generation), but we were just as good. We served in a time when it wasn’t popular. And 99 percent served with pride.”
Andrea V. Hernandez, 706-571-8586
This story was originally published June 6, 2010 at 12:00 AM with the headline "More than 1,000 welcome veterans of Vietnam on eve of D-Day anniversary."