|
|
|
| Wed, Nov. 11 - - Mobile - RSS | |
|
|
At last, a thank-you Church makes sure Vietnam veterans know they're appreciated Story by Cathy Dyson Photographs by Rebecca Sell THE FREE LANCE-STAR B
Spotswood Baptist Church gives almost 60 Vietnam War veterans the homecoming many of them never received
Date published: 5/28/2006
EFORE THIS WEEKEND, no one had ever thanked Reed Bolick for his service in Vietnam. The retired Marine colonel took the lack of gratitude in stride. He knew how unpopular the Vietnam War had been, and he saw plenty of fellow servicemen who tried to put the military experience behind them. "You came home, and you quickly took off your uniform," said the 59-year-old Spotsylvania County resident. "You were not welcome." That's why Bolick was particularly moved on Friday, when he and almost 60 other veterans from the Fredericksburg area visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington. A volunteer walked up to Bolick, gave him a hug and thanked him for what he'd done for his country. It was the first acknowledgment he'd gotten--but it certainly wouldn't be the last. Throughout this weekend, members of Spotswood Baptist Church have given Vietnam War veterans the homecoming many never received. Friday's trip to the memorial wall was the beginning of a three-day celebration that ends this morning with a service at the Spotsylvania church. The event marks the third year the church has honored veterans on Memorial Day weekend. Korean War veterans were special guests last year, and World War II veterans the year before. Today's service will be a little different. Instead of being seated onstage, the former soldiers and sailors, Marines and Air Force personnel will be the last ones to enter the sanctuary. "We want them to march into the auditorium to a standing ovation," said Sherry Rauscher, one of 17 committee members who planned the events. "This is the one group that never had a parade or anything." The veterans certainly got their due this weekend, 31 years after the war ended. The celebration began Friday afternoon, when three chartered buses and almost 25 motorcyclists left Lafayette Boulevard for the trek north to the nation's capital. A state police escort blocked the right lane of Interstate 95 so the entourage could get onto the highway. "That's more than we ever got when we came back from Vietnam," said Rick Gustavus of King George County. "They didn't stop anything for us." People on at least one of the buses cheered at the VIP treatment. It was just the beginning.
Date published: 5/28/2006
|
 |
|||
|
|||
