Page 1 - VillageNews19-11-17

OCTOBER 11, 2017 XX NO.8

Village News

Vietnam vets grateful

for Kiwanis event

LINDA FAUSZ VILLAGE NEWS

KEYNOTE SPEAKER RETIRED MARINE CORPS MAJ. GEN. DONALD R. GARDNER AND HIS WIFE, ELAINE, CHATTED WITH THOMAS HOUSE, USMC SGT, VIET-
NAM 12/66-12/68, AND HIS WIFE RITA DYSON-HOUSE AFTER THE EVENT.

BY LINDA FAUSZ
t was a “welcome home” they never a picnic, and music. In a dedication of of the event, the keynote speaker, the “The Vietnam War was not a popular
received. Five hundred forty-nine the building in which they gathered,, retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Donald one. Veterans who fought there returned
Ithousand served, 58,350 died, the Exhibition Hall on the Chesterfield R. Gardner, received a well-deserved to a largely ungrateful nation,” he said.
300,000 were injured, and 1,600 are still Fairgrounds was renamed the Vietnam standing ovation following his address. “What we encountered were riots and
missing; our Vietnam veterans, fifty- Veterans Building, a commitment to the “We commemorate the 50th violence in our major cities. Upon
years ago. vets never being forgotten. The event anniversary of the Vietnam War. The returning home, we were encouraged not
Last Wednesday, the Kiwanis Club gave a long-overdue “welcome home” most important people here tonight… to wear our uniforms.”
of Chester gave 177 Chesterfield area and “thank you” to the many veterans are those of you who serve in the Armed Gardner shared stories of his two
Vietnam veterans the welcome home present. Forces during 1955-1975, regardless tours, first as a captain in Da Nang
they never got with a “Welcome Home Addressing the veterans and their of location…tonight you received ‘A and other provinces; an area that was
Vietnam Era Veterans Celebration families, young members volunteering lasting memento of the nation’s thanks.’ infested with Viet Cong and the North
Event.” The event included a formal from the Thomas Dale High School This is your welcome home!” said Vietnamese army. They were conducting
opening, platform speakers, exhibitors, Key and Keyette clubs, and donors Gardner. Read more on page 10-11
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