Latest news with #VietnamVeteransRecognitionDay
Yahoo
20-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Jasper County veterans arrive in droves for recognition day at State Capitol
May 20—Everywhere you looked you saw a Jasper County veteran. They arrived to the Iowa State Capitol on a pair of buses. Several others drove their own vehicles with families or were chauffeured with a son or daughter. Many wore red or yellow T-shirts with the words "Jasper County Veteran" stitched over their hearts. It is estimated about a hundred veterans from Jasper County attended the Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day on May 14. The annual ceremony takes place on the south side of the capitol grounds near the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall. Local veterans say it is quite the ordeal and it draws big crowds. "I've been there once before," said Vietnam veteran David Elliott. "We go out there and they have someone come in to give a speech, and it's recognition for people like me that have served their country. To me, it feels good to be recognized. Things were not favorable for us fellas when we came back." John Wennihan, a fellow Vietnam era veteran, said many returning soldiers back then made a conscious decision to not wear any regalia or clothing that would give people the impression they served during the war. They thought they were better off keeping their service a secret. Thankfully, sentiments have changed. "It makes a fella finally feel good," Elliott said. Nowhere was that more evident than the Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day ceremony. Iowa Gov. Kim Reynolds attended the ceremony and read aloud her proclamation. Retired United State Marine Corps Col. Gerald "Gerry" Berry told war stories. The crowd was big, just like the veterans said it would be. Veterans saluted their nation's flag during the National Anthem and the reciting of the Pledge of Allegiance. Listen closely and you could hear a muffled "Oorah!" from old Marines. Gold Star Families — which are families who lost a loved one serving in the military — were recognized for their resilience. Jewel Gullett, of Newton, is part a Gold Star Family. Her brother, Rollin Davis, was killed in Vietnam in 1968. She still tears up thinking about her brother. She attended the ceremony in Des Moines to honor not only her brother but all veterans who served. It is important, she said, that their service is celebrated. "This is an honor to keep their memories alive," Gullett said, adding that she remembers her brother as a happy-go-lucky guy. "...He was a really good kid." This year's event was even more special as it was the 50-year anniversary of the fall of Saigon, which marked the end of the Vietnam War. To Elliott and Wennihan, it sure doesn't feel like 50 years have passed. "I remember things like it was just yesterday," Elliott said. "Believe me." Wennihan added, "Fifty years ago I was in an Army hospital still. I had a spinal cord injury from a back surgery. I had a blood clot. They medevacked me from Germany to Denver. So I was sitting in the hospital bed watching the fall of Saigon in a room full of wounded Vietnam vets. That was quite the deal." Doug Bishop, chair of the Jasper County Veterans Alliance, spoke on behalf of the "In Memory" program, which honors the veterans who have died from exposure to Agent Orange, post-traumatic stress disorder and other illnesses as a result of their service. Jasper County took the lead in the program in 2019. "All of you here as spouses and family members know 58,000 of our men and women died in Vietnam, but that war didn't kill everybody by the end of May 1975," Bishop said. "Coming up with PTSD, mental health issues, Agent Orange, all of the above. It took a lot more than 58,000 after that." The program was expanded statewide. When Jasper County first launched the program in 2019, it inducted 33 veterans. Bishop said this year alone 23 new inductees have been added, increasing the total number of Iowa Vietnam War veterans who died from duty-related illnesses to 180. "At one time we were second only to Indiana per capita as to how many veterans we had inducted," Bishop said. "I'm guessing if we were to check, damn, we might be first in the nation. So kudos to all of you who have done that. We're going to keep that push going."
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story
DES MOINES, Iowa — This year marks 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. On Wednesday, Iowans came together for the annual Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. They gathered at the Iowa Vietnam War Memorial on the State Capitol grounds where the names of 868 Iowans who died in service are listed for all to remember. A decorated helicopter pilot who is credited with 'ending' the war in Vietnam shared his story. 'This is very emotional for me. And I grew up about three miles away from here over on 20th street. So, it was a, uh. This is special. Very special,' said Gerry Berry, a retired Marine Corps Colonel. The Des Moines native holds a special place in history given his role in Operation Frequent Wind, the U.S. military's evacuation of Saigon in the final days of the war. 'This is Lady Ace 09. We're here to get the ambassador,' Berry remembered saying the day he was tasked with evacuating Ambassador Graham Martin. Instead of completing his mission in one trip, Berry was told the Ambassador wasn't ready to go. More than 18 hours later, he was one of only two pilots still making evacuation runs. With tanks from the North Vietnamese rolling in, he knew time was running out. Vietnam Veterans mark 50 years since the war ended 'Go tell the Ambassador that Lady 09 is not leaving the roof until he's on board. And then in my best aviator voice, I said, the President sends. I have no authority to do that, but I did it anyway,' said Berry. Ordered out of Saigon, not by the President or the Secretary of State or the Admiral of the Navy. 'I always tell people, no, he was ordered out by that roguishly handsome global soldier, the sea captain Gerry Berry from Des Moines, Iowa. So that's how I ended our involvement in Vietnam,' he explained. Ending a war and fulfilling a duty to his country, yet never forgetting the sacrifice of so many others. 'What I would like never forget is that we had a tremendous amount of anti-war protesters. We had people burning their draft cards. But I'll tell you, we still had that loyal Americans who went to fight for their government and did what they were told. And I think we should always appreciate those who are willing to serve. So, it's a little different. The Vietnam war was very different from everything else we've had,' said Berry. The husband, father, and grandfather has dozens of medals from his two tours of duty. From three Distinguished Flying Crosses, 46 Air Medals, two single-mission Air Medals, the list goes on. As Berry returns home to Iowa this time, he can't help feeling a little more sentimental as he marks a milestone to the end of the Vietnam War. 'It's gone too fast, I think, and I look back and think, how could it go that fast?' Before he returns to Florida, Berry has one more stop this week in Iowa. He will visit the Iowa Veterans Home in Marshalltown where the majority of the residents are fellow Vietnam veterans. Iowa News: Bison baby boom! New stars bring visitors flocking to Neal Smith NWR Iowa veteran credited with ending the Vietnam War 50 years ago shares his story Iowa lawmaker believes DCI geofenced State Capitol to prep for sports betting investigation Vietnam Veterans mark 50 years since the war ended Iowa House lawmakers send state Medicaid work requirements governor's desk Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
02-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam Veterans honored during recognition event
ENDICOTT, N.Y. (WIVT/WBGH) – Dozens of Vietnam Veterans were honored in Endicott on Friday to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the end of the war. 2025 is the last year of the country's Vietnam War Commemoration, which was launched by President Obama in 2012 to thank Vietnam vets and their families for their sacrifice. To celebrate Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day, The Broome County Vet Center honored local veterans with commemorative lapel pins and proclamations. Broome County Executive Jason Garnar was the keynote speaker, and touted several county projects aimed at supporting veterans, including the development of ten new tiny homes, the Veteran's Resource Center, and the veteran mortgage tax. 'Far too many veterans returned to a nation that seemed indifferent to their sacrifices. They were left to navigate a very difficult path on their own. But that is changing, as a nation, and as a community right here in Broome County. We have learned from those mistakes,' said Garnar. The event was held at the American Legion Post 82 in Endicott. Every veteran in attendance was called forward by their rank, name, branch of service, and the time that they served. Local support groups advocate for child abuse awareness BLAST presents 'The Cottage' Vietnam Veterans honored during recognition event UHS opens new physical therapy and rehab center 'Dignity Not Detention' would cut New York's ties to federal detention contracts Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
