Vietnam veterans, families remember loved ones

FREMONT – Area Vietnam veterans recognized some of their fellow soldiers that never came back from the war Sunday, as the Vietnam Veterans of Sandusky County celebrated “Welcome Home Vietnam Veteran Day” at the Sandusky County Courthouse.

Veterans gathered around the memorial commemorating the sacrifices of local Vietnam and Korean War veterans at the ceremony.

“For all of you fellow Vietnam vets, welcome home,” said Tom Horvath, a Vietnam veteran who helped organize the event.

Horvath said it was the fourth year local veterans had come together to honor those that died in combat. He said the public still seemed to have an awareness of the Vietnam veterans and the sacrifices they made on the 50th anniversary of the war’s start.

Horvath said the ceremony was held around March 30 each year, which was the day the last American troops left Vietnam.

Family members came and read the names of a loved one who was killed in the Vietnam War.

Mary Beaston read some of the names of veterans listed on the courthouse memorial.

“What an honor it is today to be here and share this with you,” Beaston told the crowd in front of the courthouse.

Glenn Baker, a veteran who attended the ceremony, said Vietnam veterans were not treated well when they first came home but are now among the most revered veterans in the country for their military service.

Baker said he always referred to the Vietnam veterans as the “Forgotten Generation.”

“It’s long overdue for Vietnam veterans,” Baker said of the recognition of their contributions.

After the memorial service, veterans and their families went to the Fremont VFW Post 2947 downtown for the third annual Stand Down.

dacarson@gannett.com

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