Local group hosts Vietnam Veterans Honor Day
Published 8:01 pm Saturday, March 30, 2013
On the 40th anniversary of all U.S. troops withdrawing from Vietnam, the city of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission hosted a Vietnam Veterans Honor Day on Saturday.
The event at Veterans Memorial Park featured speeches by Calcasieu Parish District Attorney John DeRosier and Mayor Randy Roach, a volley shot, a ceremony honoring POWs and a picnic.
In his speech, Roach thanked Vietnam War vets for teaching Americans an important lesson on how they must stand by their military servicemen and women, even when controversy surrounds the war they fought in.
“I would like to issue this proclamation in your honor—for your courage, for your sacrifice, for your devotion to duty, and for your service to our country. For not giving up when we failed to give you the honor you deserved, for teaching us that young Americans must never again be sent to fight in battle unless we’re prepared to let them win. For the inspiration that you have given to our sons and daughters for defending us at home and around the world,” he said.
“It is our honor and privilege as the protected class of Americans who were protected by your service, to issue this proclamation in your honor and name today as Vietnam Veterans Honor Day. This is your day here in Lake Charles, welcome home.”
In his remarks DeRossier gave thanks to Vietnam veterans and acknowledged that though many who returned from the war were greeted with silence, vets were always appreciated in Lake Charles.
“When many Vietnam Veterans came back they were maybe not honored like the vets of the past had been, except here in Louisiana where our people have always honored and appreciated America’s Veterans,” he said. “I often say that a man is successful when he has gained the respect of intelligent men, the love of little children and has accomplished his task and left the world a better place than when he found it. Those of you who served in the military in the U.S. have done that.”
(Rick Hickman /American Press)
(Rick Hickman /American Press)
