Thank you to the community for supporting our Vietnam veterans

Thank you to the Susanville residents who took the time to attend the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans ceremony hosted by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post last Saturday morning at the Veterans Memorial Hall.

Despite battling a cold, Lassen County District 2 Supervisor David Teeter attended to read a resolution from the board of supervisors recognizing the day.

Joe Franco, Mayor pro tem for the city of Susanville, also read a proclamation honoring the Vietnam Veterans.

As might be expected, many of those in attendance were veterans themselves who participated in other theatres but recognized the importance of honoring the Vietnam veterans who served heroicly and honorably in what is perhaps the most unpopular war in our nation’s history. Hopefully annual events such as this will help heal the deep physical and/or psychological wounds suffered by everyone who serves in combat because acts of war always profoundly change everyone who fights in one.

Kudos to our local Vietnam veterans who answered our nation’s call to bravely serve in the jungles, highlands, cities and hamlets of that little nation half a world away, protecting our freedom and our way of life, doing our nation’s business at a time when protestors marched in the streets and angry citizens spat upon them and called them baby killers upon their return.

To all the veterans who so ably served in Vietnam — thank you, and welcome home.