Vietnam veterans in Fort Smith honored 50 years after their return

Vietnam War veterans were honored Thursday in Fort Smith with a commemorative pinning ceremony hosted by the health insurance company Humana at the Jim Taylor Veteran of Foreign Wars Post 8845.

Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, regardless of location, were invited to the ceremony.

Vietnam War veterans and their families at the conclusion of the Vietnam War Commerative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.
Vietnam War veterans and their families at the conclusion of the Vietnam War Commerative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.

The President and Congress established a federal program in 2012 to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, and to thank and honor Vietnam veterans.

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, 9 million Americans served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.

Fort Smith mayor George McGill receives his Vietnam War Commemorative pin from Crystal Guthrie during a ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.
Fort Smith mayor George McGill receives his Vietnam War Commemorative pin from Crystal Guthrie during a ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.

Mayor George McGill and state Representative-elect Ryan Rose recognized the veterans' service.

Rose quoted Jesus Christ in the Bible saying, "greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends."

Darin Davis, the regional veterans executive for Humana, said their job is to make sure their employees are able to serve their veterans. Humana has employees connected to local VFW posts and the Department of Veteran Affairs.

"Our role as a partner is certainly to facilitate events like this," Davis said. "Coming in and helping the community heal this wound and helping the community honor their veterans."

Davis joined the National Guard in 2012 and in 2017 he joined the Veterans Channel and "the rest is history" he said.

Charles Silmon chats with Ryan Rose, who served as the keynote speaker, during the Vietnam War Commemorative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.
Charles Silmon chats with Ryan Rose, who served as the keynote speaker, during the Vietnam War Commemorative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.

Sonny Blackwell and Johnny Gothard were two veterans of the Marine Corps and Navy were honored with a pin.

Gothard was part of the Color Guard in the ceremony and serves at the Veterans of Foreign Wars 1322 in Van Buren.

"It's a nice gesture 50 years late, but we appreciate it," Gothard said.

Charles Hollibough receives his pin from Carder Ferguson during a Vietnam War commemorative ceremony at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.
Charles Hollibough receives his pin from Carder Ferguson during a Vietnam War commemorative ceremony at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.

Resources for veterans like the Home Helpers senior care, the partnership of the Department of Housing and Urban Development and the Department of Veteran Affairs, the Veterans Crisis Line and the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks promoting their Medical Foster Home Program were available after the ceremony to answer any questions and provide assistance to those recognized for their service.

A job and information fair was held at the conclusion of the Vietnam War Commemorative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.
A job and information fair was held at the conclusion of the Vietnam War Commemorative pin ceremony held at Jim Taylor VFW Post 8845 on June 16, 2022, in Fort Smith.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Humana Honors Vietnam Veterans in Fort Smith