Vietnam-era veterans honored at ‘Welcome Home’ event
A total of 91 veterans including 49 Vietnam veterans and 42 Vietnam-era veterans attended the “Welcome Home” event in their honor on March 29 at the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Wooster.
Friday, March 29 was not a typical day for some of the veteran residents of Wayne County. Military flags lined the entrance of the Best Western Hotel and Conference Center in Wooster to provide a long-overdue “Welcome Home” to local Vietnam veterans.
A total of 91 veterans including 49 Vietnam veterans and 42 Vietnam-era veterans attended the event alongside their family members, and the guests gathered and shared stories, reflecting on their experiences and sharing tales of their time in service.
“We wanted to go above and beyond in honoring the brave men and women who served our nation during a tumultuous time in history,” said Sundee Porter, Wayne County Veterans Service outreach coordinator, who spearheaded the event.
Keynote speeches were delivered by retired Gen. Deborah Ashenhurst and Mike Kovac, Medina County clerk of courts.
Ashenhurst, the director of the Ohio Department of Veterans Services with 37 years of service in the Army and National Guard, spoke about service men and women, of passing the legacy of service on to children and grandchildren, and where the Armed Services currently stand on enlistments.
Kovac, who had 30 years of active-duty service, wrapped up with anecdotes and memories of a service career. He also touched on the challenges of military life, acknowledging the pressures and hardships veterans often face. He reminded the audience that while the memories of tough times may fade, the bonds forged in service endure forever.
The Wayne County Veterans Service Commission provided each veteran in attendance with a recognition gift bag and a challenge coin bearing an inscription specific to their service. Additionally, attendees had the chance to win crafted afghan blankets and shawls, crocheted by the volunteers of Give-a-Stitch. Multiple gift cards provided by local businesses were raffled off to veterans.
The event concluded as each veteran stood to salute while the 555th Honors Detachment honored those fallen comrades by providing a seven-man 21-gun salute and taps.
As the festivities closed, Veterans Services Director Jeff Shull thanked each veteran for attending, addressing them as some of America’s most courageous sons and daughters in uniform.
“The difficulty you faced during the Vietnam War did not end when you returned home,” Shull said. “You were blamed for a war you did not start, ridiculed when you should have been celebrated.
“Now more than 50 years later, we have had the benefit of time to appreciate, celebrate and honor your selfless service. Welcome home and thank you for your service. This is not the end but the beginning of an annual celebration of your service and sacrifice.”
Among the local businesses and groups contributing to the event were Give-a-Stitch, Longhorn Restaurant, Oh-Yo, C.R. Bloom, Red Lobster and Green Leaf Restaurant.