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."
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LOCAL VIDEO: Vietnam veterans' welcome "long overdue"
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