Arkansas will host its first ceremony in March observing the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, but some war veterans plan to boycott it.
Their gripe lies with a portion of the March 29 ceremony intended to honor all veterans from the Vietnam War era (Nov. 1, 1955-May 15, 1975), regardless of whether they were deployed to a combat zone.
Some veterans who did fight in Vietnam feel that the universal recognition ignores the unique hardships they faced overseas and upon returning home, said Robert Fureigh, a Vietnam helicopter pilot from North Little Rock.
It isn't that veterans who never deployed aren't deserving of honor and recognition, Fureigh explained, but it's offensive to lump them into the same category as those who did serve in combat.
"There's a big difference, and Vietnam veterans know that difference," he said. "No, I'm not going to participate in the formal charade, and it hurts a little bit."
Lapel pins -- emblazoned with the head of a bald eagle and the text "Vietnam War Veteran" -- will be awarded to registered veterans by their state representatives and other state leaders. Gov. Asa Hutchinson also will present a pin to the oldest Vietnam veterans from each branch.
As for the recipient criteria, the Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs is following instructions from the U.S. Department of Defense, which issues the pins and oversees the national effort to commemorate the veterans. The Defense Department partners with local groups to "say thank you" to the about 7 million living veterans who served on active military duty during the Vietnam War. State officials estimate about 80,500 Vietnam veterans live in Arkansas.
The commemoration ceremonies seek to honor veterans, not the war, said Deborah Grays, a spokesman for the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration. While they don't often receive complaints about the lapel pin criteria, Grays said they are understandable.
"We recognize there's a difference between serving in-country and serving stateside," she said. "But they were all called to serve, and did so with dignity and honor. And they didn't have a choice where they served."
The state Department of Veterans Affairs planned to have the event at the state Capitol, but local interest exceeded expectations. The ceremony will now be held at 10 a.m. March 29, a Thursday, at the Jack Stephens Center on the University of Arkansas at Little Rock campus.
More than 600 veterans have registered for the event, according to the VA, and the agency has decided to keep registration open until March 16.
The department also has established a "working group" to solicit input and address concerns like Fureigh's, an agency spokesman said.
"We want to warmly say 'thank you' to all who served and their families," acting Deputy Director Gina Chandler said in a statement. "To all who were on active duty at the time and all who were called to serve, you all answered the call and served where you were sent, with courage and fortitude. You pushed 'pause' on your life plans and, in the face of all adversity, served your country with honor."
The state Department of Veterans Affairs also hopes to use the event as a ceremonial kickoff for a year in which it plans to place a special emphasis on Vietnam War veterans. Gatherings like the commemoration offer the agency opportunities to point veterans toward programs at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. The state agency wants to ensure that Arkansans who served during the Vietnam War receive all the federal benefits to which they're entitled.
"The men and women who fought in Vietnam served our nation with courage and distinction during a time when their service was not always recognized or appreciated," Hutchinson said in a statement released Friday evening. "The Arkansas Department of Veterans Affairs set up the current commemoration ceremony based upon a national plan. I welcome the opportunity to honor our Vietnam veterans, and I consider the Vietnam veterans' service on enemy soil worthy of our utmost recognition and thanks."
As for the pins, Jeff Lashbrook, a U.S. Army pilot who served multiple tours in Vietnam, wishes officials would change the criteria. If they did, he'd happily attend.
"I think [veterans who served in Vietnam] have earned a level of recognition that this pin would give them that those not in Vietnam haven't earned," he said. "I'd certainly be proud of the pin and be proud of those there with me who served."
Lashbrook and Fureigh aren't alone. Fureigh's Facebook page has been flooded with comments since he posted his complaints about the pin, which he said dilutes the meaning of "Vietnam veteran."
Both those who served in combat and those who didn't have taken issue with the honor. A handful of so-called Vietnam-era veterans said they weren't deserving of a pin that recognized Vietnam War service.
For those veterans who did serve in Vietnam during the war, the issue strikes a nerve. For them, it's further proof that the country that shunned them when they returned from combat still "doesn't get it."
In an interview, Fureigh recounted his struggles to find a job after the war despite holding a bachelor's degree with honors in civil engineering from Tulane University in New Orleans.
A job interview at a local engineering firm appeared to be going very well until the interviewer asked Fureigh whether he fought in Vietnam. Then, the tone changed. That's a hardship veterans who never deployed to combat never faced, Fureigh said.
"I'm emotionally tired of people who don't get it," he said.
Others, like Marine veteran Dwight Witcher, aren't as bothered by the matter. Witcher plans to participate in the commemoration as long as his work schedule allows.
"If I had my druthers, [the lapel pin] would just go to those who served in Vietnam," he said. "But it is what it is, and there are enough other issues to worry about."
Witcher added that he had great respect for the state VA and director Nate Todd.
Veterans can register for the ceremony at www.veterans.arkansas.gov or by phone at (870) 623-6900.
SundayMonday on 02/11/2018