Published: March 27, 2009 06:10 am      

GARY'S WORLD: Thank our veterans this weekend

A tremendous opportunity presents itself in our community this weekend — an opportunity to honor those who served in the Vietnam War.

Personally, after attending last year's first Welcome Home celebration, I wouldn't want to miss this. It was an emotional event for both Vietnam veterans and ordinary citizens. It was a great way to commemorate Vietnam Veterans Day in Tennessee, March 29. Tennessee was one of the very first states to proclaim the day as a holiday and Crossville was the town that spearheaded the movement.

To see the looks of pride on the Vietnam vets' faces who were able to participate in the parade was priceless. After all, it was 35 years since the end of the war and there were only a handful of ceremonies since that which honored Vietnam veterans. It was the first organized public recognition and holiday declared in Crossville and Vietnam veterans from all over the country came to participate.

I will never forget the image of a Vietnam vet who was on the Vietnam veterans bus with his hand pressed against the window, waving at the people cheering and applauding as the parade passed by. I'll never forget the large, burly man wearing a beret with long hair and a goatee and leather vest adorned with Vietnam veterans patches who sobbed because his brother (also a Vietnam vet) didn't survive long enough to see the day where they were publicly honored.

Many of the Vietnam veterans who walked in the parade had tears streaming down their faces because they were so thankful and overwhelmed to finally be honored by the citizens and country they served. Many were overwhelmed by the crowd of people who turned out.

A lot of younger people don't understand that the Vietnam War was looked down upon not only by our government, but by many citizens. Many vets and their families were mistreated, harassed and made to feel ashamed for participating in the war.

I personally know a Vietnam vet who was in bandages and on crutches when he came home to Chicago and was beaten down to the ground by a mob of angry protesters in the airport. Nobody who served our country deserves to be treated like that. Nobody!

These men and women served their country when they were called upon and too many made the ultimate sacrifice. Too many of those who survived the war never really came home mentally. They were made to forget the war, the sacrifices they made and bury it in their minds. Too many of them couldn't. The least we can do as citizens is thank them and treat them with the respect they deserve. The Vietnam veterans and their families will always have a special place in my heart.

I am so proud to say that my son, Dylan, will be participating in this event not only with the Stone Memorial High School Panther Marching Band, but also with the Cumberland County Community Band. My wife and I have always made it a point to our children to respect all veterans and those who serve our country.

This Saturday, the parade will begin at 9:45 a.m. and will march down Main St. The parade will be huge like last year and will be enjoyable for people of all ages.

After that, the Cumberland County Community Band will perform several songs at the Community Complex (fairgrounds) at 11 a.m., just prior to the opening ceremonies, which start at noon.

The celebration will continue at noon at the Cumberland County Community Complex on Livingston Rd. Opening ceremonies will be followed by several entertainers, speakers and displays.

This year Vietnam veterans who serve on the committee organizing this event decided the theme would be to honor all veterans of foreign wars who served their country. Vets from World War II to the current conflicts in Iran and Afghanistan will all be honored. Doing this is an attempt to build more of a brotherhood between the veterans of all wars.

On Sunday, March 29, at the complex a 6:30 a.m. sunrise ceremony led by the Native American organization will be held, as well as church Sunday church services later in the morning.

Closing ceremonies will be late in the afternoon.

I sincerely hope that our county's citizens will take just a few hours out of their weekend to come out and honor our Vietnam veterans on either Saturday or Sunday. As always, if you see any veteran, please thank him for serving our country.