Honoring the Valparaiso Vietnam Vets!

Indiana has a long history of dedicated military service, as well as being proponents of properly honoring our veterans - those who fearlessly served our country when called. American Legion Post 94 celebrated the second Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, the newly designated annual observance to honor Vietnam veterans for their service.

“Was it a war that deserves our recognition? Yes. A war that deserves a day of remembrance and gratitude? Yes. Was it a long time coming? Yes. Can we right the wrongs that were done to these vets? No. Can we make them smile, maybe walk a little straighter, stand a little prouder because they’re a Vietnam vet? Yes. And that’s what this day is all about”, said B.J. McGuire, Post Commander at Post 94.

Tom Clark, the 72 year old vice commander, the man who contacted the state legislative body in order to have this holiday recognized nationally, said this to our Valpo vets, “March 30th will go on record to be a national holiday. This means we will celebrate Vietnam veteran recognition days for years to come. I’m just proud to be part of it.”

Mayor of Valpo, Jon Costas, stood behind those who proudly and selflessly served our country and acknowledged, “…it was long overdue”, that they be recognized for their efforts and service and said, “I often quote C.S. Lewis who says ‘We have a greater need to be reminded than to be instructed‘, and that’s why we’re here today.”

“Our job is to remember all our brothers and sisters who didn’t come back. We came back, so they could be remembered,” Joe Burzynski, a post member said in closing.

Let’s remember and honor our Valparaiso Vietnam Vets!