Vietnam Veterans recognized in emotional tribute at special screening

Yahoo

29-04-2025

ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) — It has been 50 years since the Vietnam War ended, leaving a lasting impact on all of those who served and their families. On Monday, April 28th, veterans and community members gathered to honor local Vietnam veterans at a special event sponsored by 18 news at the LECOM Event Center.
The evening featured an early screening of 'The Vietnam War 50 Years Later', a two-part special produced by Nexstar Media Group.
Nexstar sent a group of journalists to Vietnam along with Vietnam War veterans, gathering their emotional reactions as they returned to the places where they had lost friends and fought tough battles.
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Local Vietnam veteran Larry Sherman shared how impactful the documentary was.
'It's a true visualization of what these guys went through. You're getting raw emotions off this screen,' Sherman exclaimed. 'When this airs on television, anybody that's out there and sees that and still has the hatred in their hearts for any kind of Veteran need to address that,' he said.
The documentary followed veterans as they revisited sites across Vietnam — places filled with painful memories, strong bonds, and battles they will never forget. Mark Sykes, another local Vietnam veteran recalled one of his most intense experiences.
'I was in Củ Chi, and I went into some of the tunnels which I never told any of my family and that's one of the most harrowing experiences you could ever have,' explained Sykes. 'Because people don't know the life expectancy of what a tunnel route was, which was three seconds, and I survived it three times,' he said.
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Many Vietnam veterans did not receive a warm welcome home when they first returned decades ago. Monday's event served as a long-overdue salute to their courage, sacrifice, and service to the country.
The screening ran from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. and allowed the audience to experience the veterans' journey firsthand. Nicole Meholczo daughter of a Vietnam veteran, talked about the deep appreciation she has for those who served.
'My dad is my hero, I mean he's my hero. They all are, they're heroes they keep us safe,' said Meholczo. 'Look at what our world is today and it's because of guys like my dad and all these other men and women that make me able to go to bed safe at night,' she said.
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Throughout the night, a strong sense of veteran brotherhood was evident. A feeling that Sherman said came through on the screen as well.
'That's the same kind of emotion that you're seeing on this screen that you get on honor flights. You're on a bus with veterans going to D.C. to visit the monuments and the stories come out,' described Sherman. 'Stories these guys haven't told in 50 years and they're willing to share it all because of vet brotherhood that's being portrayed on the screen,' he said.
The event was free and open to the public, giving people a first look at the special before it airs on TV stations across the country.
Donations were also accepted to support the Southern Tier Veterans' support group, with all proceeds going directly to help local veterans and their families.
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