Butler VA honors Vietnam War Veterans Day
CENTER TWP — At the Butler VA’s annual event to honor Vietnam War veterans, local veterans were given a hero’s welcome.
The VA Butler Healthcare System held a recognition day event for Vietnam Veterans at the Abie Abraham VA clinic on North Duffy Road. Vietnam Veterans received a commemorative pin as a token of appreciation for their service.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, officially designates every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
In a news release leading up to the event, the Butler VA emphasized the event being held for Vietnam veterans who “served their country with valor and honor, yet never received a proper ‘Welcome Home’ or ‘Thank you for your service.’”
The Butler VA holds the commemorative pin event every year, but volunteers and organizers felt this year’s was particularly important for honoring Vietnam vets. April 30 marks the 50th anniversary of the official end of the Vietnam War.
“We’ve helped coordinate with some of our volunteers and leadership to honor Vietnam veterans every year. We do commemorations every year, and since this year marks the 50th anniversary, we want to do something extra,” said Amy Tomko, an Army veteran who works at the Butler VA’s center for development and civic engagement.
At the event, veterans and their families received their commemorative pins while being able to enjoy coffee with their fellow Butler County veterans.
“I appreciate coming here. It’s so nice to see everybody here, and especially to be able to celebrate the men and women that fought during the Vietnam War. Especially the ones that lost their lives. They were treated horribly. So this is special because it shows some appreciation to the men and women that fought,” Alice White, an Army veteran who served in Vietnam, said.
Veterans recalled their time in Vietnam, serving the United States in various ways. Ron Schick, an Army veteran who wore a First Infantry Division hat, said he served in a rural area 50-ish miles north of Saigon. He recalled the surroundings and the environment to others.
“I think about the people living in the area, and the people living off the land there. The climate was so warm,” Schick said.
Organizers and the volunteers who worked at the event bought into the idea of making sure Vietnam veterans who attended felt welcomed, and were able to be celebrated in a way they may not have felt following the war.
“To recognize our veterans, especially our Vietnam veterans, and being able to welcome them home. It’s nice for them to know they’re appreciated,” Paula McCarl, the Butler VA’s public affairs officer, said. “And it’s a chance to hear their stories, share their experiences with one another.”
Volunteers at the VA event also said it showed the good work that the VA does. Bob McNally — a repairman for the Navy who works with sheet metal, repairing ships and destroyers — volunteers several times a week at the Butler VA and said he wants veterans to know they can receive help and be appreciated there.
“They should know that there’s a lot going on over here at the VA. There’s a lot of good things here. I enjoy being here with all the other veterans,” he said.
