By WALLYCE TODD
Staff Writer

When they first arrive, they take time to tease each other. They jostle and jest about their different branches of service, good-naturedly ribbing one another about a variety of topics, military and civilian.

Yet, when the meeting is called to order, a sincere air of seriousness filters throughout the room, as they all stand, place their hands on their hearts and pledge their allegiance to the flag.

These U.S. citizens have proven their allegiance in a manner that was potentially one of the most complex wars of the last 100 years. They are Vietnam veterans, and they meet at the Whiteville VFW building the first Tuesday of every month. During the years known to many as the “Vietnam era,” those who served in the Armed Services received mixed responses from others in the country. As members of the military who served in Vietnam returned to their home country and local communities, they were most often met with silence and even anger or disdain.

In the 1960s and 70s, there were many thousands of men and women who volunteered to serve their country - whether it was in times of peace or seasons of war. They combined their efforts with many thousands more men who accepted being drafted and fighting in a foreign land.

All of the Vietnam veterans, be they those who signed up for the military or those who were drafted, served during a season when it would have been easier to walk away. But the vast majority of them stood firm and stayed the course, even when it was a path that was misunderstood and, at times, vilified.

The local group of Vietnam veterans have come back to Columbus County where they’ve worked in industry, managed stores and owned their own businesses. They are integral parts of the fabric of the community, and they make a point to reach out and help those around them, especially other veterans.

A significant part of the June meeting focused on projects that would benefit others, especially those who had been willing to put their lives on the line for their country. This kind of dedication, three-plus decades after they served in the Armed Services in Vietnam, shows their commitment to the care and protection of their local community and of the country as a whole.

Lloyd Morgan was an army pilot who flew helicopters in Vietnam. He flew airplanes during his Army tenure as well. He’s a member of the Distinguished Flying Cross Society. When someone mentioned that status, he looked around the VFW building at all who were attending the Vietnam Veterans Association (VVA) meeting and said: “There’s a lot of well-decorated people here.”

The career military man continued by talking about what many Vietnam-era members of the Armed Services experienced. “They wouldn’t even talk about being a veteran because of the stigma back then,” Morgan noted. “Now that it’s the Vietnam Veterans (Association, we can come together and), we understand each other.”
The local VVA sponsors a golf tournament and sells food at the Strawberry Festival. Funds raised from these events are used by the association to help other veterans and are also contributed to an established scholarship. Recently, members of the group proposed several ways to help aging veterans in the community, regardless of whether they fought during the Vietnam era or not.

A majority of those present at the June meeting raised their hands when asked who would plan to attend the June 30 meal to honor community veterans at the Abundant Life Church. This meal is planned to recognize all veterans, not just the ones who served during World War I, but also in Korea and Vietnam.

As the years have passed, it seems that increasing numbers of Americans are acknowledging that all veterans deserve appreciation and thanks. This change is important to Vietnam vets.

In fact, the VVA’s goals are “to promote and support the full range of issues important to Vietnam veterans, to create a new identity for this generation of veterans, and to change public perception of Vietnam veterans.” With more than 50,000 members, 46 state councils and 630 local chapters, each month, these goals are more and more likely to be met.

Most importantly, the VVA is determined to manifest its founding principle: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”

As each member of the local VVA stood with their hands over their hearts and the pledge of allegiance to the flag on their lips, one could see how this group of people is determined that the VVA principle be practiced. To them, serving one’s country is imperative, no matter the circumstances or cost.

The proof is in their participation. It didn’t stop years ago; it continues still today.

Editor’s Note: (from www.vva.org) Vietnam Veterans of America relies totally on private contributions for its revenue. VVA does not receive any funding from federal, state, or local governments. To contribute to the VVA, visit the above website or talk to a local Vietnam veteran.