By RHEA-FRANCES TETLEY
Staff Writer
The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Post 9625 honored the veterans of the Vietnam War at the March 28 senior luncheon, held at the San Moritz Lodge.
During the luncheon, every veteran was presented a commemorative coin celebrating their service. They were able to talk among themselves and share stories of their war years and branches of services.
The luncheon was held in honor of National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, which was recognized by Congress and passed into law in 2017 as March 29, in honor of the last troops leaving Vietnam after the Paris Accord was signed in 1973.
Guest speaker Leslie Dodge Taylor spoke on her years spent as a stewardess, taking troops to and from Vietnam and her vivid memories of many of the individual men and their flights. A respectful silence fell over the room as everyone was entranced by her emotional story of the boys and men.
One of many posters made by VFW members, honoring Vietnam veterans.
There were poster boards with “then and now” photos of many of the attendees as young Vietnam fighting men, with current day photos next to them. After the luncheon, a professional photographer took portrait photos of many of the 53 veterans who attended.
The VFW members said that several vets with whom they had not previously had contact, who do live in the area, did attend and they are now offering them their services, if needed. They had sufficient commemorative coins to present one to each of the 53 veterans. Many vets brought their wives and other family members to the luncheon.
The seniors who regularly attend this twice-weekly luncheon at the San Moritz Lodge came by before and after the luncheon and spoke with the veterans who were dispersed throughout the room, since they were seriously interested in their service and thanked them. It was an emotional afternoon as several had never previously been thanked for their service 50 years ago.
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