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Photo by Ryan Hanchett/Staff American Legion Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey (left) and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan (right) honored Keith Hall (center) for his service in Vietnam and his continued support of Post 370. Hall was a pilot shot down over Vietnam and spent five years as a prisoner of war.
Five decades after the end of the United States’ longest military conflict, dozens of veterans, their families and friends gathered to remember those who never made it home from Vietnam.
Highlands American Legion Post 370 hosted a 50-year commemoration service on Wednesday morning at the Community Building on 4th Street.
“March 29 was chosen as Vietnam Veterans Day because on this date in 1973 the final combat troops left Vietnam and returned to the United States,” Post 370 Commander Ed McCloskey said. “The years from 1959 to 1975 are considered the ‘Vietnam Era’ and today’s events here and across the country are meant to honor the men and women who served their country during that time. Unlike veterans of previous wars, those who returned from Vietnam didn’t always receive a proper welcome back.”
Highlands Mayor Patrick Taylor, himself a Vietnam veteran, recalled his feelings as a teenager preparing to go to war.
“Back then there really were four groups of people my age,” Taylor said. “There were those that objected and refused to participate in the war, many of whom were jailed. There were those that fled to Canada and other countries, there were those that volunteered for the service, and there were those who were inducted or drafted.”
Taylor called the volunteers and inductees the “silent heroes of the day,” and noted that over the years since his return from Vietnam his ill will towards the objectors and those that fled has subsided.
“I have spoken to groups of objectors, they were indicted and spent time in federal prison due to their strong anti-war feelings,” Taylor said. “I have always hoped that those who fled to Canada and other places and stayed there became productive citizens and community members. I will say, I do still hope that those who fled to Canada and then returned to the US after the war continue to feel the guilt of their actions.”
Post 370 member and Vietnam veteran Bob Trevathan took time to recognize his neighbor and friend Keith Hall for his acts of heroism in Vietnam. Hall flew fighter missions over Vietnam before being shot down in his F4. He subsequently spent five years as a prisoner of war in the infamous “Hanoi Hilton” before his release and return to the United States.
“Even after returning home, Keith continued his military service in the Air Force and retired with the rank of Colonel,” Trevathan said. “We want to honor him for his sacrifices and his continued service to Post 370.”
Hall thanked those in attendance for all of the support that he and his fellow veterans received during their time on active duty.
“This is a surprise honor, but I’ll take it, and I can’t say thank you enough to all of you here and the millions of Americans who have stood by (prisoners of war) over the years,” Hall said. “When we finally came home, we were treated with respect and gratitude. While several of us were able to come home 50 years ago, there were many more who never came home and we need to remember them first and foremost.”
Each Vietnam veteran in attendance was given a ribbon as a token of appreciation for their service and each was allowed to say a few words about their branch of service, time in Vietnam, and ultimate return to the United States.