Fifty years after the Vietnam War, Texarkana-area veterans got some special recognition at a ceremony honoring their service.
About 30 Vietnam veterans received commemorative pins, ribbons and decals — and a lot of heartfelt appreciation— during the event Thursday morning at Elks Lodge 2771.
Shreveport’s Vet Center sponsored the ceremony in partnership with the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter
278.
The event was one of many to be conducted as part of “a 13-year effort to recognize the uniqueness of the Vietnam veteran,” Vet Center Team Leader Vernon Williams said. President Barack Obama has proclaimed May 28, 2012, through Nov. 11, 2025, to be the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Each veteran in attendance received a copy of the president’s proclamation.
“Throughout this Commemoration, let us strive to live up to their example by showing our Vietnam veterans, their families, and all who have served the fullest respect and support of a grateful Nation,” it states.
Thursday’s events began with a simple message.
“Welcome home, and thank you for your service,” Greg Beck, Vietnam Veterans of America 278 president, said to the veterans gathered around tables in the lodge’s assembly hall.
Many wore caps and vests displaying their military branches and units, years of service, and Vietnam Veterans of America affiliation. Others wore T-shirts featuring the image of a prisoner’s silhouette that appears on the POW/MIA flag.
After an invocation and the Pledge of Allegiance, Texarkana singer Haley Patillo earned a standing ovation for her rendition of “God Bless America.”
Introducing the proceedings, Williams encouraged relatives of Vietnam veterans to communicate with them about their experiences.
“I urge all of you … to talk to your loved ones. They’re not going to share everything. You may not even be able to comprehend everything. But I hope we can open a dialogue,” he said.
He also sought to dispel some common misconceptions about Vietnam veterans, citing information from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“Ninety-one percent of Vietnam veterans say they are glad they served,” he said. “Seventy-four percent said they would serve again, even knowing the outcome.
“Vietnam veterans are less likely to be in prison; only onehalf of 1 percent of Vietnam veterans have served in jail. … Ninety-seven percent were discharged under honorable conditions. … Eighty-five percent of Vietnam veterans made a successful transition to civilian life,” Williams said.
Guest speaker John Fooks, a Marine Corps veteran, recounted the story of his friendship with Jonathon Edwards Rowe, a fellow Marine and World War II veteran of Iwo Jima.
Veterans in attendance expressed their gratitude for the recognition.
“It meant a whole lot to all of us,” Army veteran Freddie Weathers said, adding that he wished more veterans had gone to the event. Many, he said, “feel guilty because they lost brothers” in the war.
Air Force veteran Kenneth Cosby said he especially valued the ceremony because so many Vietnam veterans were not welcomed home after their tours of duty.
“When we came back, we weren’t appreciated. The present generation is more appreciated. When we came back, nobody talked about it,” he said.
Donna Carmeli accepted a pin on behalf of her late husband, Army veteran John Carmeli, who died in 2008 after long being active in the Vietnam Veterans of America chapter. Carmeli said she was moved by the honor and by many kind words from those who remembered John.
“It just went to my heart,” she said.