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The Villages
Friday, March 29, 2024

More than 100 Vietnam veterans receive pins of appreciation at event in The Villages

More than 100 Vietnam War era veterans participated in a special ceremony commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War hosted by the Marine Corps League, Col. Phillip C. Delong Detachment #1267 Monday evening at the SeaBreeze Recreation Center.

Special guest Major General Arnold Fields, USMC, (Ret) addressed the crowd and followed with a ceremony which included pinning each veteran with a distinctive lapel pin, saluting and shaking their hands and thanking them for their service.

“I bring you greetings from the Secretary of Defense, my good friend James Mattis. On behalf of a grateful nation I am here tonight to honor you and your families,” Fields told the crowd.

Marine Corps League Col. Phillip C. Delong Detachment #1267 Past Commandant and event chair Lou Calleja and Commandant Reggie Nealy with Major General Arnold Fields, USMC, (Ret), center.

Fields is part of a committee directed by the Department of Defense formed in 2008 by Congress to start a process of honoring all Vietnam War era veterans. The first big ceremony was held in 2012 at the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. Field now travels the country wherever there is a large enough gathering to hold commemorative ceremonies.

Vietnam War era veterans are military personnel who served between the years 1955 to 1975 regardless of where they were stationed.

“That was a total of nine million men and women,” said Fields. “Seven million of those people are still alive and I am reaching out to find them. According to the VA Vietnam War era veterans are dying at a rate of 500 per day.”

The plan is to hold commemoration ceremonies until 2025.

“Why so long?” asked Fields, “It was a long war, so we will have a long commemoration ceremony process trying to reach everyone. The final ceremony will take place on Nov. 11, 2025.”

As the veterans lined up to receive their lapel pins which are inscribed “a grateful nation thanks and honors you” two spouses accepted pins on behalf of their husbands.

Kathleen Vanderhoof receives certificate from Major General Arnold Fields, USMC, (Ret).

Kathleen Vanderhoof’s husband, Jerry, died 11 months ago from complications from Agent Orange.

In the Marines from 1968 to 1976, her husband served in Vietnam. Through tears she expressed her gratitude for the award and pin.

Neil Stapleton was in the Marines from 1967 to 1989. Remembering the poor reception Vietnam vets received upon returning, Stapleton said he was in the military long enough to see the nation learn to separate the war from the veteran.

Neil Stapleton receives a pin from Major General Arnold Fields, USMC, (Ret).

“Now they may not like the war, but they don’t blame the vet,” said Stapleton, “when we came back from Viet Nam they blamed us for a war they didn’t like.”
In Vietnam from 1967-1969, Curtis Morgan said that receiving the pin and being thanked for his service was very emotional.

Villager Curtis Morgan receives his pin.

“It’s good,” said Morgan.

One of very few female veterans in attendance Lillie Battle served in the Army for 21 years.

“This is the best thing since peanut butter,” said Battle.

Lillie Battle with Major General Arnold Fields, USMC, (Ret). In center is Marine Corps League, Col. Phillip C. Delong Detachment #1267 Commandant Reggie Nealy.

She was in the Army during the war, but did not serve in Vietnam.

“That is how I was able to stay in so long,” said Battle, “being in Vietnam seeing what they saw, being shot at, I am sure I would have stayed in for only two years.”

To date, 1.6 million Vietnam era vets have been pinned in a ceremony. If you would like to learn more about the commemoration project, go to www.vietnamwar50th.com

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