{"id":101136,"date":"2024-04-11T06:55:36","date_gmt":"2024-04-11T10:55:36","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/?p=101136"},"modified":"2024-04-12T09:26:10","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T13:26:10","slug":"welcome-home-vietnam-vets","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.owegopennysaver.com\/PS\/2024\/04\/11\/welcome-home-vietnam-vets\/","title":{"rendered":"Welcome Home, Vietnam Vets!"},"content":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. Walter —<\/span><\/p>\n

The Tioga County Veterans Service Agency held its annual Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event on March 29, and in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.<\/span><\/p>\n

March 29 is fitting since the last of the U.S. combat troops in the Republic of Vietnam departed for home on March 29, 1973. Additionally, Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged POW\u2019s on or about the same day.  <\/span><\/p>\n

The Owego ceremony started at 10 a.m. with a wreath laying at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial at Courthouse Square.  <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

Pictured is a “Welcome Home” wreath gracing the Veterans Memorials in Owego, N.Y. The wreath was placed in front of the Vietnam Memorial on March 29, and in honor and remembrance of those who served during the Vietnam War. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Twenty-one Tioga County service member names are etched on the memorial. Over nine million served in Vietnam, and more than 58,000 lost their lives. Also remembered are the approximate 1,500 who are still missing in action.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mike Middaugh, director of Tioga County Veterans Services, remarked, \u201cWe want to make sure that every one of them is honored, including their families.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Sergeant Bob Owen of Waverly assisted Middaugh in laying the Welcome Home wreath next to the memorial. V.F.W. 1371 member and veteran Steve Palinosky performed a bugle rendition of \u201cTaps.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

From left, Sergeant Bob Owen from Waverly, alongside Mike Middaugh, director of the Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency, salute at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on March 29, and in honor and remembrance of the 21 Vietnam service members from the county who lost their lives during the war. Owen and Middaugh placed a “Welcome Home” wreath in front of the memorial, and during a ceremony held there. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Owen, a Purple Heart Recipient, shared that he would like to see more done for veterans on the federal government level. <\/span><\/p>\n

Owen commented that he was previously involved with bringing the Vietnam Moving Wall, a traveling exhibit named \u201cThe Wall That Heals,\u201d to the Waverly area. He also recommends Vietnam Veterans and their families, and any interested community members, visit the Vietnam Veterans War Memorial Museum, located at 1200 Davis St. in Elmira, N.Y.<\/span><\/p>\n

Vietnam Veteran Butch Creller, when asked what is most important to him about the special recognition day, noted, \u201cI would like more service members who are missing in action to be found.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

From left, Sergeant Bob Owen of Waverly chats with Tioga County Veterans’ Service Director Mike Middaugh at the March 29 Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony in Owego.  Middaugh requested Owen assist him in placing a “Welcome Home” wreath at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

According to the Vietnam Veterans of America, the majority of MIA\u2019s are believed to be in Vietnam, and others in Laos, Cambodia and the PRC territorial waters. VVA collaboration with Vietnamese veteran organizations continues in their initiative to find them.<\/span><\/p>\n

Several individuals from the community also attended the wreath laying, to include Visions FCU Community Development Manager Hanna Mitchell.<\/span><\/p>\n

Mitchell is the spouse of a 35-year Air Force veteran, and after serving all throughout the U.S. and world has moved back to the southern tier. <\/span><\/p>\n

Mitchell commented, \u201cAt Visions we are working with the Tioga County Veterans\u2019 Service Agency to help and share resources,\u201d and added, \u201cWe are truly appreciative of the veterans.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

Vietnam Veterans stand or show hands while seated at an annual luncheon held on March 29, Vietnam Veterans Day. The Director of the Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency, Mike Middaugh, asked that all veterans and their families receive recognition. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Following the wreath laying, veterans and their families were invited to a ceremony and luncheon at the Town of Owego Shared Services Building, located on Route 434.<\/span><\/p>\n

Owego V.F.W. 1371 member and Vietnam Veteran Dean Morgan opened the ceremony. Middaugh asked all to stand to recite the Pledge of Allegiance, and then asked guests to take a moment of silence in remembrance of Tioga County\u2019s 21, along with veterans and loved ones who have since passed away.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe lost another brother just this morning to Agent Orange,\u201d Middaugh somberly stated, adding, \u201cMany were exposed to Agent Orange, and we\u2019ve lost 300,000 since the war ended and we lose more each day. It is known as the silent killer, and some say, \u2018I died in Vietnam but just didn\u2019t know it.\u2019\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Middaugh asked Vietnam Veterans in attendance to stand if they were able, or to raise their hands while seated, to recognize and thank them for their service and sacrifice; and to say, \u201cWelcome Home.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

During a March 29 ceremony recognizing Vietnam War Veterans Day, veterans received pins and challenge coins. Pictured, Tioga County Veterans’ Service Agency Director Mike Middaugh shakes hands with a veteran. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Middaugh also thanked spouses and other family members for their sacrifices, which enabled their loved ones to serve.<\/span><\/p>\n

Middaugh and his staff handed out commemorative lapel pins and a challenge coin to all veterans. Spouses also received a blue star pin in recognition of their support back home. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThese are a lasting memento of our nation\u2019s gratitude,\u201d Middaugh noted about the pin and coin, which recognize the Vietnam Veteran\u2019s courage, honor and dedication to service.<\/span><\/p>\n

While handing out the pins and coins, Middaugh shook each veteran\u2019s hand and said, \u201cWelcome Home, my brother,\u201d or, \u201cWelcome Home, sir.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Middaugh further noted, \u201cClearly there is something about this special day that helps cleanse those who served.\u201d <\/span><\/p>\n

\"Welcome<\/a>

From left, Vietnam Veteran Roger Brame and his wife, Rose, show pins and coins they received in recognition of Vietnam War Veterans Day. Veterans received a pin and challenge coin, and spouses received a blue star pin. (JoAnn R. Walter Photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

Cliff Sherwood, Sr., a V.F.W. 1371 member who is active in the color and honor guards, remembered his good friend, Jim Zimmer, whose name is etched on the Tioga County Vietnam Veterans Memorial.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI went to high school with Jim in Newark Valley,\u201d Sherwood explained, and further shared that it helps now to honor and remember his friend by, \u201cRunning my fingers along his engraved name on the memorial.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

To learn more, call the Veterans\u2019 Service Agency at (607) 687-8228, or visit their offices located in the Ronald E. Dougherty County Office Building at 56 Main St. in Owego, N.Y.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By JoAnn R. 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