FLORENCE, Ala. (WHNT) — Hundreds of Vietnam veterans were recognized today in the 50th Anniversary Commemorative Label Pin Ceremony on Friday.
Congressman Robert Aderholt took time to help recognize those who served in the Vietnam War and give them a long-awaited honor at the University of North Alabama (UNA).
“What has been the amazing thing about it is that so many people that came back 50 years ago were spit on and they were shunned by their peers for merely serving our country. It was a dark chapter in the nation’s history,” said Aderholt.
But Dennis Duncan, a U.S. Army veteran who served two years in Vietnam, said receiving the recognition has taken far too long. Duncan, 78, said he can’t recall a time when veterans returning from the war were publicly thanked for their service.
“I really can’t enjoy something or if I was really thinking about celebrating something, because the ones that need to be honored are not here. That’s the way I feel about that,” said Duncan.
Each veteran was called up to receive their ceremonial pin from Aderholt, who told News 19 that he is blessed to have a chance to shake hands and to personally say thank you for their service to our country.
“They returned and were not thanked, and 50 years later, we’re finally just as a small way we’re saying thank you, it’s not enough, but at least it’s a way to say thank you,” Aderholt said.
In his honor, the adopted daughter of Duncan, Marilla, dedicates her time to assisting veterans who suffer from anxiety and post-traumatic stress syndrome (PTSD).
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