Nearly 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War, a local service organization held one of its “welcome home” pinning ceremonies Sunday, paying tribute to 27 Vietnam veterans who served during the bloody conflict.
One by one, the veterans were called to the front of the Masonic Lodge no. 897, where the George W. Kendall chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) presented them with a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin and a certificate of honor.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates there are currently 7 million Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad who served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, in any country, any theater, or stationed elsewhere.
The DAR has been involved in recognizing Vietnam veterans since 2012 and has hosted many events paying tribute to hundreds of Vietnam veterans and their families.
Terri Chidgey, the DAR Kendall chapter’s honorary regent and parliamentarian, collaborated with VFW no. 688 Commander Anthony White in organizing the event, inviting the 27 Vietnam veterans and their family members.
“The chapter Daughters presented these veterans with the lapel pin, serving as a lasting memento of our nation's heartfelt ‘thank you’ to these brave heroes and a reminder that their sacrifices and bravery will never be forgotten,” Chidgey said. The men honored during the Sunday pinning ceremony are: David Spoor, Charles Wetherbee, Donald Powers, Lloyd Camp, Robert Worrall, Abner Kestler, Anthony White, Delbart Poindexter, Eric Christopher, Rance Brooks, John Eaton, Israel Hinojosa, Ronald Henderson, Carl Frantzen, Kirby Culak, Ken Dunbar, Mike Thompson, Margaret Thompson, Catherine Raynor, John Sweet, Eiji Teragouchi, Art Valdez, Les Dalton, Mike Lopez, Brooks Boye, James Manzo and James Kazen.
Eric Christopher, who served in the U.S. Navy during the Vietnam War, receives a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin from Kim Kincaid, second vice regent with the Kendall County Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR). The DAR honored 27 Vietnam veterans from VFW Post no. 688 Sunday. Star photo by Jeff B. Flinn
In addition to the lapel pins, the Vietnam veterans were given certificates of honor, recognizing their dedicated service to our country.
“The Chapter Daughters felt honored to be able to convey the nation's appreciation. It was evident that this event provided a long-overdue opportunity for many to receive the recognition and appreciation they deserved,” Chidgey said. “The room was filled with tears, applause, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude, symbolizing that the nation will forever welcome its heroes home with open arms and heartfelt thanks.”
A special tribute was paid to Jim Manzo, who received a DAR 2023 Community Service Award for the hundreds of funerals and ceremonies in which he has played patriotic music on a trumpet or bugle.
“This is a wonderful honor, but it’s my honor to play Taps,” Manzo said. “Whenever I’m called, if I have an open date, and whether it be one or two or three a day, I will respond.
“When you play Taps,” he said, “I feel you’re saying the last goodbye and the last thank you. And every military veteran deserves live Taps.”
Manzo opened the ceremony by playing the National Anthem and closed the ceremony, in honor of those brave men and women who paid the ultimate sacrifice, with the playing of Taps.
The Daughters of the American Revolution is a service organization with genealogically based membership. Its mission is patriotism, education and historic preservation.
The Kendall chapter of the DAR, Chidgey said, has established a tradition of honoring veterans that continues to touch the hearts of all those involved.
“Through events like the ‘Welcome Home’ pinning ceremony, they remind us of the importance of recognizing and appreciating the sacrifices made by our brave service members, ensuring that no hero ever feels forgotten,” she said.
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