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COMMUNITY

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“The Vietnam War was not a popular one. dinner and
a special
Veterans who fought there returned to a largely program;
ungrateful nation.” – Keynote speaker retired first for the
Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Donal R. Gardner World War
II veterans,
they ‘ran point’ on patrol, answered the last year for
call of ‘Corpsman Up,’ volunteered as the Korean
‘tunnel rats,’ cleared mines as engineers; Veterans,
flew dangerous combat missions; spent and this
years as prisoners of war; built roads and year for the
bridges and bases as Seabees; served in Vietnam
PHOTO BY RICK DODSON forces’ served on and maintained our served in LINDA FAUSZ VILLAGE NEWS
isolated locations as advisors and special
veterans.
Having
mighty ships; shuttled critical supplies;
repaired aircraft, trucks, and radios;
the Navy
JOINT COLOR GUARD OPENING bound up broken bodies as doctors and from 1966 JOHN MORRIS, U.S. NAVY LCDR 11/64 - 7/65; RON GRAY, U.S. NAVY QM3
nurses; and many gave their lives to save
to 1968
1967-68; AND HARRY TRIMBLE, U.S. ARMY SPS 1965-67.
CEREMONIES. a comrade. himself,
clandestine reconnaissance patrols along “Despite fighting a long war that our Hillier knew the Newbys Bridge area.
the DMZ, from Dong Ha to Khe Sanh, nation never fully supported, there were the task would be a difficult one as well “It is great; just a little late,” he
frequent contact made with the enemy. unforgettable acts of courage and self- as an important one. He experienced said of the tribute. “So glad to see so
His second tour as Major was during sacrifice by ordinary men and women… the time period and how veterans did many young people here. So many
the “Vietnamization” of the advisory you and people like you,” he said. “Wars not receive the “welcome home” they have come up and shook hands and
effort, sharing the duties involved in that are not noble, but we were blessed with deserved. thank me for my service.”
mission. noble warriors. I remain proud of each He recruited his wife Suzanne He says there is still a long way to
“The soldiers, sailors, airmen, and and every one of our Vietnam veterans. for help. They would drive through go with the government taking care
Marines that I commanded or worked Tonight we honor your service and neighborhoods looking for homes or of its Vietnam veterans. “There are
alongside of were all warriors,” he said. finally welcome you home!” license plates with signs of a Vietnam still a lot of vets that still don’t have
“They made sacrifices as great as any Kiwanian Joe Hillier took the veteran. Knocking on doors, spreading insurance.”
made by earlier patriots. Most of their leadership role in the club’s effort to the word, and advertising, he found Eldridge Brock was a master
stories will never be known. Like you, thank veterans for their service with nearly 190 veterans in the area. Efforts aviator in the Army during the war and
were made for donors to support the he served two tours, 1962-1963 and
event. With the support of the club, 1967-1968. “I am grateful for all the
their youth programs, members of the effort that has gone into it [the event],”
community, and a great platform of he said. “Long time coming, but much
speakers, the “welcome home” was a appreciated, and glad I was fortunate
success. enough to be here.”
“I am very proud of the turnout and Tom Reis served in the Air Force
appreciate their great service they gave from 1958
to their country,” said Hillier. “It’s the to 1968. He
Kiwanis Club way of saying ‘thank you’ attended the
50 years later.” event with
Otis Royster attended the event his wife,
with his wife, Yvonne. He served in Laurel. “They
Vietnam as a corporal in the Marines [the Kiwanis
from March 1970 to Feb. 1971. Today Club] did an
Royster works with veterans with their awesome job,”
health insurance concerns through the he said. “Over
PURPLE HEART RECIPIENTS BILL SWINEFORD, U.S. ARMY SGT 1967-1968, AND RON Disabled American Veterans Chapter in the top. I even
ECHOLS, USMC LT 7/67 - 6/68.
10 OCTOBER 11, 2017 news@villagenewsonline.com