Beech Tree News Network

The Butler County Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution hosted a dinner honoring Vietnam Veterans the evening of Saturday, Oct. 24. The event, which is part of a national United States of America 50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemoration, was held in Morgantown. Its purpose was to honor Vietnam Era Veterans and families including MIA, KIA and those who have already passed.

BCNSDAR Regent Jane Eaton-Henderson began the event with a brief speech about the program and its importance, stating that over 3,000 events have been officially held in Vietnam Veterans’ honor.

“Here in Butler County, the Butler County Chapter and Green River DAR and the VFW Post 5837 are partners in this program. Tonight, the dinner is in Butler County’s honor to you to thank you for your service.”

“Whether you sat behind a desk filling out requisition forms, drove generals around, or walked a post here, on foreign soil or Vietnam, you were in that era and all that went with it,” stated Eaton-Henderson. Jane Eaton-Henderson also spoke about the ongoing experience of being a Vietnam Veteran, referencing ongoing health problems such as exposure to Agent Orange.

“My husband {Geoffrey Henderson} suffers from the insidious Agent Orange. It wears many faces and is unstoppable. Many Vietnam Veterans are left with this as a legacy. It finally hit home that being in the Vietnam War was not just a past experience.  Like the pictures now faded on the nightly news, it was part of a flickering era that could not and should not be dismissed until we welcomed you home the way you deserved. Thank you for your service and welcome home.”

Kentucky State Senator C.B. Embry also spoke in honor of Vietnam Veterans at the event. During his speech, Embry spoke about the value of soldiers that risked or sacrificed their lives in support of their friends and nation. He listed examples of his work in legislating for Kentucky and stated that his work is less important than a soldier’s, as his freedom, opportunities, and ability to legislate stem form a soldier’s work.

“What is really important? What makes that possible? Without the service and sacrifice of our Veterans those things would not happen. That is what is really important,” stated Embry. “I serve as Vice Chairman of the Senate Veterans, Military Affairs and Public Protection Committee. Sometimes I and others on the committee get criticism because we have legislation that names roads and bridges for Veterans. Some people believe that we should be spending our time doing other things, things I have just mentioned. They are important, but our Veterans gave us the opportunity to do those things.”

Embry briefly addressed the welcome service members received after returning home from the Vietnam War. “Due to the unpopularity of that conflict, many of our returning Veterans did not receive the respect and gratitude they deserve for serving this nation. That is disgraceful and a shame,” stated Embry.

Embry mentioned that the nation has since taken steps to honor its Veterans, including the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington, DC which now honors 58,000 casualties of the Vietnam War, 53,000 wounded, and 1,600 MIA and the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which honors 125,000 Kentuckians that served in the conflict.

“This is a story of our Vietnam service members: a story that needs to be said and told. Let us strive to live up to their example by showing our Vietnam Veterans, their families and all that served the fullest respect and support of a grateful nation,” stated Embry.

 VFW Post #5837 Auxiliary President and Vietnam 50th Commemorative Anniversary Chairman Lynda Knight also spoke briefly in recognition of Vietnam Veterans at the event. “It is an honor to be here tonight. It has been such an honor to take part in honoring the Vietnam Veterans. They were not honored like they should have been when they came home. This is for you all, and our hearts go out to you,” stated Knight.

Knight also thanked the Veterans in attendance, stating that they are respected and honored by a grateful county and Nation. Following her speech, Knight honored attending Veterans with their families and the families of deceased Veterans with certificates of appreciation and gift totes for their service.

BCDAR Regent Jane Eaton-Henderson commented on the importance of the dinner and events like it at the end of the night: “We were able to honor them. We had almost 108 people: we had 54 Veterans show up that we were able to give the certificates to, welcome them home, give them a hug and say thank you. That is so important, and I think it is going to make a difference in a lot of these Veterans’ lives. They never had that feeling before, that we really care. I had Veterans come up to me and say “thank you so much. I never had that. No one ever thanked me.””

Sponsors for the event included the Kountry Kitchen, Farm Boy, Innovative Auction, Cash Express, PBI Bank, Morgantown Bank,  CWA Screenprinting, Janeen Taylor,  Five Seasons, and Dr. Todd Cohron. 

Vietnam 50th Commemorative Anniversary Committee members were: Georgia Romans, Jennifer Odle and Jane Eaton-Henderson with Lynda Knight as Chairman. Eaton-Henderson also thanked several individuals, stating that the volunteer efforts of community members were often unsolicited and reflect full community appreciation for Vietnam’s Veterans.

 Story and photos by Mark Scherer, Beech Tree News

Vietnam Veterans