As a Vietnam veteran returning to the United States from Southeast Asia, I did not get much of a homecoming. We were ridiculed and mocked and treated like we were second-class citizens. This is no reflection on anyone, except it was the way the philosophy of the mass majority’s opinion was in February 1968. The flower children, the draft dodgers and the crooked politicians had convinced enough people that the ones serving this great country in Vietnam were not doing the right thing. It took a long wait, but I got the homecoming that I was well overdue last weekend.
I attended the Vietnam Veterans homecoming at the Gray Station Fairgrounds, and I would like to commend the individuals and organizations that had a part in organizing such a first class event. I know some of the individuals, but to risk overlooking some of them I will not mention individuals. I would like to thank the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 979; Rolling Thunder Tenn. Chapter 4, Fountain of Life Bible Church and all other organizations that had a part in the planning and organizing of the event.
I would also like to thank the Master of Ceremonies and special guest, Chris Noel and all of the bands and other groups that had a part in the event. Thank you very much and since this will be an annual event, I hope to see many others in the future.
Gary Garland
Bristol, Tenn.
Officers thanked for safety patrol support
I would like to thank the officers from Bristol, Tenn., and Va., police and sheriff’s departments and the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department for escorting our local schools to Washington, D.C. for the annual Safety Patrol Trip June 4-7.
These officers were on duty to ensure the safety of our children, school personnel and chaperones as we traveled from place to place, as well as safety in our hotels.
Thank you for everything you do, not only for this trip, but for our safety here at home! Thank you to the city and county for allowing them to travel with us. Thank you to AAA for putting the trip together. I would also like to thank the school personnel who were in charge of our bus: Dr. Amy Scott and Teresa Brown from Haynesfield Elementary and Lori Thacker and Cherith Dugger from Holston View Elementary. Thanks for such a great job in leading our kids and giving us all a great trip to remember!
Carmen Johnson
Bristol, Tenn.
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