25-04-2025
Vietnam veterans prepare to go on mid-Michigan Honor Flight
WYOMING, Mich. (WOOD) — Next week, dozens of Michigan veterans will be in our nation's capital as part of the mid-Michigan honor flight.
It's especially meaningful for two West Michigan veterans, because they weren't fully appreciated when they returned home from Vietnam.
One group of veterans get together weekly at Marge's Donut Den. They're all dealing with PTSD. Ismael Figueroa, of Wyoming, doesn't just go for himself.
'Some of them are hurting. I like to go because I can learn from them, but I can also share, and I feel I can help, just by talking to them,' said Figueroa.
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Figueroa was 21 years old when he was drafted and sent to Vietnam — a long, divisive war.
'Absolutely nothing. They tell you nothing until you land in Vietnam and they open the door,' he said.
But this mechanic who took care of the hydraulics, electronic, anything to do with the firing of the weapon, would soon find out.
'When you get in Vietnam, the one thing they do tell you: If you can make it for 90 days, your odds on surviving Vietnam are great.'
Not only were Figueroa and his buddies fighting to stay alive, they were also dealing with heartache from home.
'In Vietnam, you get 'Dear John' letters, which me and Frank got one, Frank wanted to shoot himself … and I talked him out of it. You got guys that got divorce papers. Can you imagine getting divorce papers and you're in the middle of a war?' Figueroa said.
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'When the deserters were going to Canada to get out of the draft or to get out of going to Vietnam, I could've gone there legally,' said John Racicot, of Caledonia, who wasn't even a U.S. citizen when he was sent to war.
But he didn't.
'No. I had been in the United States at the time for nine years, it's your duty,' he said. 'It wasn't pleasant, you never knew, just never knew what would happen.'
He knew quickly he needed help.
'Once you got in country, you learn religion real fast, because then it's real,' Racicot said.
Figueroa and Racicot were ready to go home but some Americans weren't ready for them.
'Nobody approaches you; they keep their distance,' explained Racicot.
'There was no party. It was basically business as usual. I don't think my dad ever said anything about welcome home,' said Figueroa.
Figueroa, who was told to not even wear his uniform home, knows it was worse for others.
'You're in a war, you're doing what you're told, you're serving your country, and you've got these certain people treating you like trash,' Figueroa said.
But he feels the love and support of his son, also named Ismael Figueroa, who is a veteran as well.
'You were there every time I came home,' Figueroa said to his father.
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He'll be his dad's guardian for the mid-Michigan honor flight. They'll be among dozens of veterans who will be in our nation's capitol seeing the memorials dedicated to them.
'It's an honor to go,' said the older Figueroa.
'I was surprised and honored,' said Racicot.
After waiting several years, Racicot also got the call. He'll be going with his grandson.
'I want to show my grandson what happened there,' he said.
While the older Figueroa and Racicot have heard stories about the honor flight, they don't know how they'll react. Figueroa will soon be back at his weekly gathering to talk about his experience on the honor flight.
While his family wasn't there to greet him when he returned home from war, they'll be there when he gets back from the honor flight.
'They deserve this, they deserve that recognition, he's my world,' said the father Figueroa's wife.
Be sure to tune in Sunday after News 8 at six to watch Vietnam: A Lost Generation at 7 p.m.
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