Posted on 09/26/2004 9:03:45 AM PDT by Cincinatus' Wife
......But the most striking thing about this modest, delayed homecoming was the presence of the Vietnam veterans. I have now lived long enough, thank God, to see men of my own generation, slightly older brothers, turn out to do what I remember seeing veterans of World War I and World War II and the Korean War do on such occasions -- serve in color guards and stand at attention through long speeches and ceremony. Another generation passeth, and it's the Vietnam veterans who are there now to support the young men politicians ship around the world for dubious battle.
"You are in our prayers every day and it is an honor to be here for your return home," said Roger Krueger, president of Chapter 172 of the VVA, which operates a small Vietnam War museum at its headquarters on Liberty Street. Krueger, originally from Texas, lives in LaVale now and works for one of the nation's largest defense contractors. He supports the war in Iraq, but he knows many other veterans don't.
"As worldwide protests show, the war [in Iraq] was at best controversial," Krueger told the crowd. "These soldiers ... will return with a cloud hanging over them, and a deep uncertainty as to how they will be treated, and what the future holds for them.
"I know from personal experience that there is a darkness they carry deep inside. The wounds they will bear the rest of their lives as a result of their actions. It is of great concern to Vietnam veterans that our troops be welcomed home with respect and dignity. Our founding principle is, 'Never again shall one generation of veterans abandon another.'"
(Excerpt) Read more at baltimoresun.com ...
Welcome back, troops. THANK YOU!
Welcome Home Brothers and Sisters
Welcome Home, Bump
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