It was a day filled with both tears of gratitude and joy blended with raindrops under a drizzly, gray sky. However, the cool, rainy, damp conditions weren't enough to darken an event that was more than three decades overdue.
Thousands from Tennessee and beyond gathered in Crossville last Saturday to pay tribute and honor Vietnam veterans with a Welcome Home parade.
"I really think this is great. It's the first time we are being formally recognized by any government for our service, so it's about a lot more than just a parade," said Ron Henry.
Henry traveled from Nashville to attend the event and meet with some of the men who served in Vietnam in the same unit.
"I'm really glad to see this. I think that if this had been done 40 years ago it would have helped a lot of guys out. A lot of them lived in denial and felt ashamed. We never really were welcomed home. This has been long overdue," said Crossville resident Julian Hearndon.
The Welcome Home parade included displays and floats from not only throughout the county, but the state as well.
The Vietnam Veterans Chapter 203 of Chattanooga brought a busload of veterans, numerous displays and set up its Tennessee Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall at the Community Complex.
Dozens of Vietnam Veterans chapters participated in the two-day event. During the opening ceremony that followed the parade, dignitaries including County Mayor Brock Hill, Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III, state Representative Eric Swafford and Congressman Lincoln Davis gave stirring speeches honoring veterans.
"Thirty-five years later we are having the first organized event for what you did. That is way too long — way too long for your parade. This needs to be a nationwide holiday ... It's shameful for me to think of the way you were treated when you came home," Congressman Lincoln Davis said.
State representative Eric Swafford echoed Davis' words.
"I am at a loss for words. This should have been done 35 years ago and it weighs heavy on my heart. I am honored and humbled to be here," Swafford said.
Swafford also announced that from now on March 28 will be Vietnam Veterans Day in Tennessee annually.
"This is to honor and recognize our vets who served in Vietnam," he said.
Swafford said it was passed on March 11.
Cumberland County Mayor Brock Hill said, "It is a great honor and privilege to be here ... Today the collective soul of Cumberland County has come together to welcome you home."
Crossville Mayor J.H. Graham III said, "I hope and pray our country can come together to never, ever let anything like this happen again. The way you were treated was shameful ... So many of our men never really came back home ... This day we are honored to welcome you home. Welcome home. Welcome home on behalf of the city and our grateful nation."
Graham explained that Dann Dunham and Ron "Scooter" Dyer came to him last summer and said they wanted to set aside March 28 to honor the Vietnam veterans officially. The city, county and ultimately the state followed suit and proclaimed March 28 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
"I challenge our nation's leaders to do the same. This needs to be a national holiday," Graham said.
Many Vietnam vets and their families who attended the ceremony held back tears.
"I went to the complex and listened to all the speeches and I thought they were good. There were tears in my eyes most of the time I was there. The Vietnam veterans, well, we were pretty well forgotten about until the Iraq and Afghanistan war. But I really enjoyed and appreciated what they did for us. To honor us like that really meant a lot to a lot of people," said David E. Brown.
Brown served in Vietnam in the 101st Airborne 319th Artillery Division from 1967 -'68.
"It feels good. It feels really good. We finally got our welcome home," Ron Dyer said. "It's been a wonderful thing."
Area News
Related Photos
Related Links
LOCAL VIDEO: Vietnam veterans' welcome "long overdue"
- Area News
-
-
Ford St. connection between Old, New Lantana Rds. begun
Work has begun on a new Ford St., the only connector that will remain between Old Lantana Rd. and New Lantana Rd., between Miller Ave. and Halstead Dr. once the Lantana Rd. project is finished.
-
Meth lab seized from motel room
A Cumberland County couple have been charged in connection with the seizure of items commonly associated with the clandestine manufacture of methamphetamine that were seized from a local motel room Friday.
-
No suspects known in stabbing
Crossville Police say they have little to go on after a Cumberland County man was found in the parking lot of a local nightspot suffering from a stab wound and injuries received in a fight.
-
Lyon, Smith earn top honors at SMHS
Katherine Lyon has earned valedictorian honors at Stone Memorial High School in the Class of 2012, while Anna Smith is the salutatorian.
-
TVA burglary draws 8-year sentence on plea
A Cumberland County man observed by a Tennessee Valley Authority employee driving the employee's service vehicle out of a secured lot has pleaded guilty to two of the several charges he was facing and has been sentenced to eight years in prison.
-
Go Red encourages proper diet to fight heart disease
Heart disease kills more women than all forms of cancer combined, but the American Heart Association estimates 80 percent of cardiac events in women could be prevented if women made the right choices in diet, exercise and not smoking.
-
DCS commissioner defends decision on closing Taft
Department of Children's Services Commissioner Kathryn O'Day on Wednesday defended Republican Gov. Bill Haslam's decision to close the Taft Youth Development Center in Bledsoe County.
-
Water service restored to Renegade
Water service was restored to 86 residences on Renegade Mountain Monday afternoon after it had been turned off for several days following a fee dispute between the Renegade Community Club and the Laurel Hills Condominiums Property Owners Association.
-
CCHS names Top Ten for Class of 2012
Abigayle Marie Claflin has earned the top spot in the Cumberland County High School Class of 2012, followed by Taylor Nicole Vaden as the class salutatorian.
-
Health reform law saves $2.1 billion for 3.6 million Americans with Medicare
Nearly 3.6 million people with Medicare saved $2.1 billion on their prescription drugs in 2011 thanks to the Affordable Care Act according to data issued today by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). Savings for people with Medicare will increase over time.
- More Area News Headlines
-
Denver's Largest-Ever Drug Bust Nets Dozens
Marines: No Punishment for Nazi-like Flag
Vets Look to Translate Military Skills Into Jobs
Expert: Removing LA School's Staff 'Appropriate'
Raw Video: School Bus Burst Into Flames
LA School Reopens Amid Sex Abuse Scandal
$25B Settlement Reached Over Foreclosure Abuses
Pentagon: Allow Women Closer to Front Lines
Obama Gives Education Waivers to 10 States
Giffords Aide to Run for Her Seat
LA School in Sex Abuse Scandal Reopens
Winter Slamming North Asia, Parts of Europe
Syrian Forces Renew Bombardment of Homs
States, Banks Reach Foreclosure-abuse Settlement
Raw Video: Italy's Mount Etna Bursts Into Life
Greeks March; Angry Despite Debt Deal
Raw Video: U.S. Pullout Celebration
Raw Video: Annual Empire State Building Run-Up
Man Killed in Courthouse Shootout
Air Force Airlines: Leaders Get Polished Service
