A belated, emotional ‘welcome home” for many Vietnam vets at Auburn parade
Plus: "Auburn and Vietnam" by the numbers
It was a long time coming for a war a long time gone. Vietnam veterans were showered with hearty applause from hundreds of onlookers as they marched or rode the Veterans Day parade route Wednesday in Auburn. This year’s theme was “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” and it brought out several who had never participated before in the parade. For 69-year-old Harry Ward of Ophir, the first-time experience of marching in a Nov. 11 parade was a form of homecoming he missed the first time around. Ward, a platoon leader in Vietnam, said fellow Vietnam veteran Larry Webber convinced him to take part. “But he didn’t tell me how emotional it was going to be,” Ward said, after the parade. “I haven’t digested it all yet. But it should help get over the hurdle of putting the past behind me.” Ward said his thoughts turned to so many others killed in Vietnam – including two college roommates and another roommate from officer training. In one operation, his battalion lost 13 members, he recalled. “It brought up memories,” Ward said. “This has been pretty emotional for me.” Ward marched at the front of the parade with other Vietnam veterans. He received a medal from the parade organizing committee with the “welcome home” theme printed on it. Ward recalled how different things were for him when he returned in 1967. “There were protesters and no cheering at the San Francisco airport,” he said. “I just focused on the front door and made my way through the airport.” After 42 years, Ward said he appreciates the thanks he received along the parade route – and hopes returning veterans today will continue to get that strong support. He plans to march again next year. “I got through my first one so I know I’ll be able to get through my second one,” he said. Cynthia Haynes, Auburn-Area Veterans Day event chairman, said Vietnam veterans she handed “Welcome Home” medals to along the parade route were sometimes overwhelmed by the outpouring of support. At one point, Haynes spotted a man with a Vietnam veteran’s hat on, went over to him and asked if she could put a “Welcome Home” medal around his neck. “His face turned red and then I could see tears welling up in his eyes as he told me that I was the first person to ever say ‘Welcome home’ to him,” Haynes said. “Then he gave me a huge hug and he wouldn’t let me go. It was a healing.” The event attracted hundreds of veterans from many wars and the parade route from Downtown Auburn to the Gold Country Fairgrounds was lined by nearly 2,000 people. Dave Chaix, a Vietnam veteran who now leads a local effort to assist orphanages in Vietnam, was the grand marshal. Heather McIntosh, who accompanied her daughter, Makayla and her Granite Bay Brownie troop to the parade, said she thought back to several relatives who served in past wars. “It makes you really think of all the veterans and the military have done for us in this country,” McIntosh said. The importance of the day wasn’t lost on her daughter. “It’s to say thank-you to the ones who were fighting in the war,” Makayla added. About 500 people stayed for a ceremony inside the fairgrounds’ National Guard Armory that included patriotic songs and poetry honoring veterans on their day. Haynes said the parade went smoothly, thanks to the efforts of the committee over the last year. It was the biggest the city has had for Veterans Day in a very long time, she said. Next year’s theme has already been established. It will be honoring Korean War veterans. ------------------------------------ By the numbers: The Vietnam War and Auburn 1961 – American military presence in Vietnam initiated 1973 – End of Vietnam War 58,178 – American war dead, including eight women 300,000 – Americans wounded in action during the Vietnam War 13 – Auburn residents killed in action March 30 – The date each year put aside as “Welcome Home Veterans Day” 1,200 – Number of hot dogs (one per person) distributed to parade participants at a lunch in Auburn following Wednesday’s Veterans Day parade. 300 – Number of participant medals given to veterans at last year’s parade, plus those physically unable to attend. 500 – The number of participant members that were distributed this year to veterans Source: Auburn-Area Veterans Day Parade Committee
|
Change Location:
|
Gus, what a great picture!
I saw the ole boy. He is quite a character. P51 pilot it figures. Welcome home.
I was shaking the hand of a sailor. He was going to Iraq shortly. There was a woman with a navy hat on and one of the medals around her neck. I started to thank her for her service but she stopped me and said "I was never in the service." I said " but the medal..." she should have handed it me or another Vietnam Vet. I guess Marines look at things differently.
Well, Chuckie, she is alive to wear it. From a brother? A father? A husband? A son? Did you get her story? Wanna lighten up a little? I guess part of "war is hell" is never being able to let it go...
I saw Gus also, cool guy and I hope to live as long as he has and enjoy as much as he has!
I have to say that I didn't "get" the welcome home Vietnam Vet theme until I read this recap of the parade. I am young-ish so it never occurred to me that people wouldn't be waiting at the airport and clapping for our veterans (regardless of personal political stance on the war).We have a large population of Veterans who were never properly welcomed home. Good job Auburn parade organizers!
elwqqd, yeah her husband was there and he told me He was a veteran and she was his wife. Both wore the medals. People that haven't earned a medal shouldn't wear one
I'm kinda old and more than a little grumpy;-(
It was a grand day for all;-)
chuxxr maybe his wife dident serve but can you imagine what is was like for her waiting to hear and not wanting to hear all at the same time. Maybe she was there when her husband came home to boos and protesters yelling baby killer at him. war effects everyone including loved ones back home. I would say she earned the right to wear one right along side her husband. go easy.
vuforu, to say the welcome most Viet vets received was ugly is an understatemnt, specially so, if you came in through SF or Oakland. It was a time that is best forgotten to allow wounds to heal.
The day is over, the Parade went on without a hitch, on to new subjects.
justchillout,
I would agree with that. The wives of the vets are unsung heroes as well.
I also thought that it was so nice to see how our nam veterans received a welcome home after so many years. Back in 1970(I was 7 years old)I had a lil friend whose dad was in nam. I remember visiting and my lil friend had pictures of her dad all over her room. I asked her if that was her dad and she said "yeah my daddy is fighting for us". Of course at that time I had no idea why or what was meant by it. All I remember was that my lil friend was sad and wanted her daddy back home. When I read the story all sorts of old memories surfaced, with so many un answered questions. Did that lil girls daddy come home? Did she ever find out why daddy was gone? Did she grow up knowing her dad's sacrifice fighting in the Vietnam War? My family moved away, and I never saw my lil friend again. We were in second grade together, and that incident lived with me as I grew up. When I reached 6th grade I did a report on Vietnam, when in High School I did a report on Vietnam, when I was in my 20's I visited a Nam hospital in Livermore. My grandfather is a World World ll purple heart veteran, he is now 90 years old. Now in my late 40's with children and grand children I continue to be so grateful and loving toward all precious veterans. To all our veterans I thank you for keeping me safe in my country! God Bless You All