MONCKS CORNER, S.C.–“Welcome home Vietnam Veterans.” It was the message community members in Moncks Corner shared with veterans at an event Friday to celebrate their service to our country.
Leaders from the Town of Moncks Corner, Department of Defense, and members of the Daughters of the American Revolution General Marion’s Brigade Chapter from Berkeley County hosted the Vietnam War Commemoration event to honor and recognize Vietnam War veterans and other veterans who served during that era.
Larry Courtney, who now lives in Moncks Corner, had served three tours in Vietnam before returning to the states, wounded. His homecoming was not something he would describe as warm.
“People spit on you. People called you baby killers. People treated you really bad. It’s hard to forget that,” Courtney recalled of his homecoming. He says he was just 17 when he enlisted. “The only people that we knew that appreciated us were our parents.”
Ed Springer didn’t serve in the Vietnam War, but he served in the Navy at the time and says the impact was also felt by others.
“I can remember them advising us not to wear our uniforms while on leave because of the reaction people might have to them. I remember when I enlisted into the Navy, a friend I grew up with in high school would never speak to me again,” Springer said.
This year marks the 50 year anniversary since the end of the Vietnam War. The organizers of the ceremony hoped to ease the memories of these veterans and make sure they know they are appreciated now.
“We are here today for recognition that should have been made long ago. I want to say thank you to the Vietnam veterans,” Moncks Corner Mayor Bill Locklier said. During the event he proclaimed May 6, 2016 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” Additionally, the state of South Carolina recognizes the first Friday in May as Vietnam War Veterans Survivors and Remembrance Day.
“We never expected this. We wanted this years and years ago when we came home. We didn’t get it. It’s nice because you feel like you’re really appreciated for what you’ve done,” Courtney said.
About 50-60 veterans stood in front of the crowd for recognition during the ceremony, as people cheered and clapped for them, and members of the DAR handed out stickers as a token of appreciation.
“We have been honoring veterans of all the wars for many years. This was an opportunity to join with our country to honor the Vietnam veterans especially, on their 50th anniversary,” DAR Marion’s Brigade chapter President Henrietta Acton said. “We hope it means something special to them.”
“Without their service we would not enjoy all the freedoms we enjoy as Americans. It’s their dedication to protecting that freedom that has made it possible for us to live in a country like America,” chapter member Harriet Coleman said. About 45 women make up the Berkeley County DAR chapter.
The veterans say they are thankful for the recognition now, despite the not-so-welcome home they got 50 years ago.
“Based on our fathers and grandfathers in World War II, World War I, and Korea, we would have liked to have had honorable recognition,” Vietnam War Air Force veteran Walter Springer said. “This is nice.”
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