Thank a veteran for their service

Most of the men who served in Vietnam during the war there never wanted to talk about the time they spent fighting in that country once they returned home. I could name several that felt that way.

A story is told about a Vietnam veteran named Richard that never talked much about his time there other than he had been shot by a sniper. He had a black and white photograph he had taken at a USO show of Ann Margaret with Bob Hope shown in the background that was one of his treasures.

A few years ago Ms. Margaret was having a book signing at a local bookstore and Richard wanted to see if he could get her to sign the treasured photograph so he arrived at the store at noon for the 7:30 p.m. signing.

When he got to the store the line went all the way around the bookstore, circled the parking lot and disappeared behind the parking garage. Before her appearance store employees announced that she would sign only her book and would not sign anything else.

Richard was very disappointed because he wanted to show her the photo and let her know how much those shows meant to the lonely GI’s so far away from home. Ann Margaret came out looking as lovely as ever and Richard was second in line and it would soon be his time.

When his time came he gave her the book for her signature and then took out the photo. When he did there were shouts from her attendants that she would not sign it. Richard said that he understood but just wanted her to see it. When she took one look at the photo tears welled in her eyes and she said, “This is one of my men from Vietnam and I certainly will sign his photo. I know what these men did for their country and I will always have time for “my men.”

With that said she pulled Richard across the table and planted a big kiss on him. She then made it well known to those in attendance about the bravery of the young men she met over the years in Vietnam, how much she admired them and appreciated them. There were not many dry eyes among those close enough to hear her words. She then posed for a picture with Richard and acted as if he was the only one there.

That night was a big turning point for Richard. He started to walk a little straighter and for the first time in years he was proud to have been a Vietnam veteran. His wife said that she would never forget Ann Margaret for her kindness and how much that small time she spent with Richard and the words she said about Vietnam Vets meant to her husband.

Later that night at dinner Richard was very quiet. When his wife asked him if he would like to talk about it he broke down in tears and said, “That is the first time anyone ever thanked me for the time I spent in the Army serving in Vietnam.”

Most of you know that there is a Vietnam Veteran’s Wall in Washington, D.C. that tells the personal stories of some of the 58,000 men and women whose names are on The Wall. There are many good stories that should be told about our Hometown Heroes who served in Vietnam most of whom were never acknowledged for the sacrifices they made during those years.

Veteran’s Day is this coming Saturday so we all should make it a point to say “thank you” to every person we meet who has served in the Armed Forces during any war that our nation has ever been involved in. Freedom does not come cheap and we all should be grateful for those who have served our

country.

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