Exchanges Host Final Pinning Ceremonies for Vietnam Heroes
From Ramstein Air Base to JBSA-Fort Sam Houston, Vietnam-era War Veterans were recognized at Exchange globally March 29 for the service and sacrifices they made between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975.
As a 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Partner, the Exchange hosted the last pinning ceremonies for these courageous individuals and their families. Vietnam War Veterans were honored by receiving commemorative lapel pins inscribed with “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You.”
“It’s a way of trying to get closure that will never happen, in my mind,” said Clinton Ray Willesen, a retired Air Force chief master sergeant who served in Vietnam during a ceremony at NAS JRB Fort Worth. “When I came back and landed at Travis Air Force Base in California, it was about 3 in the morning. There wasn’t anybody in the terminal. I can’t speak to the way other people were treated when they came back, but another time I had to go back home, and I didn’t have time to change out of my uniform. I had to go through the airport terminal, and I was stunned a little bit at some of the things people said.”
Col. Everett “Bud” Lacroix, Exchange Europe/Southwest Asia/Europe Region commander, places a commemorative pin on a Veteran’s lapel during Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremonies at Ramstein Air Base in Germany. (U.S. Army photo by MSG Caleb Barrieau)
Michael Richter, who served as an E-4 corporal in the Army and returned from Vietnam in October 1967, visited the Ramstein Main Exchange in Germany to participate in the celebration. “Events like this are truly appreciated by Vietnam Veterans like me and we love what the Exchange is doing,” he said. “I think it’s a great thing that the Exchange wants to recognize Veterans for their service, and I think it’s a good thing that the Exchange Service is able and willing to do that.”
Working with the 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration to honor Vietnam Veterans has left a lasting impression on Team Exchange.
“The celebration was truly humbling and emotional,” said Fort Sam Exchange General Manager Madeline Salazar. “You can see the pride on their faces when being recognized. It is a privilege to stand among them and to shake their hands and simply say, ‘thank you for your service, we truly appreciate your sacrifice!’ Being surrounded by them and their families is truly heartfelt!”
Share your photos with us!
Associates are encouraged to submit any Vietnam War Veterans Day pictures to exchangepost@aafes.com to be included in a special Flickr album. Please send photos full size, as jpeg attachments or a SharePoint link. To view what’s already in the album, click here.
