The public is invited to say thank you to our Vietnam War Veterans with a carry-in dinner from 5:30-7 p.m. Monday, March 30, at VFW Post 3111, located at 504 Washington St. in Great Bend. Bring a dish, side or dessert to share.
Vietnam War veterans didn’t get a “welcome home” when they returned. The words “thank you for your service” weren’t spoken as often as they were for other veterans. Locally, veterans of that era have begun to change that in recent years.
The last combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973, which is why March 29 is now recognized as Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Day.
Although no special ceremony is planned this year, local veterans will observe the day on Sunday by flying six special flags at the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial in Veterans Memorial Park. These flags, printed locally by Identifications Co., represent six Barton County men who died while serving in the Vietnam War. Each flag has the name and branch of service emblem for one of the men.
“The emphasis is on those no longer with us,” said Larry Parsons, a member of a group that has worked to preserve the stories and artifacts of local Vietnam War veterans. The six names can be found on a plaque next to the memorial. Those who want to know more about these men can visit the Barton County Historical Society Museum, which has a pamphlet about them. The museum, located at 85 South U.S. 281, Great Bend, also now has dozens of items from Vietnam-era veterans on display.
When the Vietnam War Veterans Memorial was added at Veterans Memorial Park, veteran Don Green had a 6-foot long “Welcome Home” banner printed at OPI. It sports the yellow, green and red stripes in the Vietnam Service Medal ribbon. Green said that banner will also be up this Sunday, letting all veterans know they are seen and appreciated.
