It is no secret that those who served during the Vietnam era didn’t receive a proper welcome home when they returned from war. Many were told to remove their uniforms before going to the airport so they would not be recognized as soldiers upon their return to the U.S. Some of our very own were insulted and spit upon instead of being treated as heroes.
Voice of a Vet, Heroes at Home and the American Legion Post 40 are on a mission, through our Town of Hoosick Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home Celebration, to right that which was so terribly wrong all those years ago.
[private]The event will take place on Saturday, August 8, at Wood Park in Hoosick Falls. A parade will kick off at 10 am, which will be followed by the recognition of our veterans and presentation of service certificates, then lunch, live music and more. Transportation in the parade (handicap if necessary) will be provided for Vietnam Veterans who prefer to ride.
We invite local groups, churches, organizations and individuals to participate in the parade with a float, banner or thank you sign, or whatever other creative ways you can think of, as long it honors our vets…
If you have family members or friends who previously or currently live in the Town of Hoosick who served during the Vietnam era (11/55-12/75), living or deceased, we encourage you to make posters with their names on them (maybe even a photo) and march in the parade or display it along the sidelines in their honor. We will have a place for all of them to be hung in the park after the parade.
If you personally served or know someone who did and have not yet contacted us, please call one of the numbers below so we can get some information out.
There is no way we can undo the harm that was inflicted on our servicemen and women all those years ago, but we can do the right thing right now and give them their honor due and a proper Welcome Home. We hope you’ll be there to help us.
If you or your group would like to participate in the parade with something other than signs (i.e. float), contact Tom McMartin at 686-5075 by July 24. If you’d like to make signs, just show up, there will be a place for you. [/private]
Questions or suggestions other than those concerning the parade can be directed to Gail Smith at 686-9888 or Joyce Brewer at 258-5772.