Once upon a time, that quiet, unassuming senior citizen standing in front of you in line at the grocery store was a young warrior, proudly serving his country in Korea or Vietnam even when their fellow citizens 10,000 miles away forgot why they sent them there.
On Sunday, March 30, 2025 VFW Calabash Post 7288 hosted a Korea and Vietnam war veterans welcome home dinner for area veterans as part of the nationwide commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, traditionally celebrated on March 29th. Forty local veterans and their spouses, families and friends arrived to the colorfully decorated VFW hall in Calabash, decked out by VFW auxiliary members in red, white and blue.
President Barack Obama proclaimed March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. The proclamation called "upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the anniversary of the Vietnam War." It wasn’t until 2017 that president Donald Trump signed into law the "Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017” designating March 29 of every year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, "to ensure the sacrifices of the nine million heroes, who served during this difficult chapter of our country's history, are remembered for generations to come.”
VFW Calabash post 7288 decided to include the Korean War veterans during the special 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. Along with thousands of other families across the nation, the post honored these veterans and remembered the sacrifices of those no longer with us during this national holiday.
Just as he did for the Vietnam soldiers over half a century ago, comedian Bob Hope was on hand to greet the veterans. That is, a recording of his wartime shows in Vietnam played on the TV much to the amusement of the vets. The jokes were still funny, the girls were still pretty, and the veterans reminisced about those long ago days serving their country. The average age of those that served was 22 years and 9 months. Today their gray hair marks a distinguished passage of time, but inside they were still in their twenties, singing and dancing to the memorable music of the 1960s, played by DJ Frankie S.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 commander Mike Dichiara kicked off the celebration by greeting the guests and introducing several attending VIPs, including current North Carolina Department VFW commander Annie Cummings, and a number of past state and department commanders.
The real VIP’s are the veterans of our community themselves, who were asked to stand, receiving a thunderous and much deserved applause by their families, friends and neighbors. Fifty years is a long time to wait for a word of thanks. These young men came home and received no parades, no cheers, no thank you’s like their fathers did after WWII. They served. They sacrificed. Many carry scars, both seen and unseen, yet they were expected to quietly slip back into civilian life as if nothing happened. After 50 years or more it was time to make sure they knew we appreciated them and their contribution during and after their service. Thank you Veterans!
Although most of the attendees were combat veterans, the post 7288 commander, Mike Dichiara, reminded the audience that all those who served during the Vietnam era, regardless of where they served, should be remembered and thanked. "After all, we had no choice in where we were sent to serve”, he quipped. The 9 million service members mentioned represent all those that served in the U. S. Armed forces from November 1, 1955 through May 15, 1975. No distinction is made between those that served "in-country” and those that served elsewhere during the conflict because, at the time, all were seen in the same way by their fellow countrymen who could not separate the war from the warrior.
VFW Calabash Post 7288 Auxiliary President Wayne Weszka led the group in the Pledge of Allegiance followed by the singing of the national anthem. Auxiliary chaplain Julia Larsen said grace and dinner was served. The veterans enjoyed a delicious dinner of a garden salad followed by chicken cordon bleu, potatoes and vegetables. For dessert they enjoyed a large sheet cake emblazoned with the slogan "Korean and Vietnam Veterans - Our Heroes!!!
Following dinner the keynote speaker, retired U. S. Army General Wayne Grigsby, a member of the post, came forward to thank the veterans in a special, practical way. Having served in various leadership positions throughout his career, General Grigsby recognized the far reaching contributions made by the veterans in Korea and Vietnam. Neither war was popular, but there were many lessons learned. "We are a better army today because of what you taught us” he assured the veterans, citing example after example of experiences in Vietnam that have helped improve and strengthen the Army of today. Asking the veterans to stand and be recognized again, they received another round of applause.
VFW Auxiliary president Wayne Weszka called the roll of veterans attending to be presented with commemorative pins and tokens by North Carolina Department VFW commander Annie Cummings assisted by members of the VFW Calabash post 7288 Auxiliary. Reading each name, their service dates and service branch, the veterans stood to receive their pins. The names were then put in a basket and one was drawn to receive a Red, White and Blue, hand-crocheted blanket made by Auxiliary chaplain Julia Larsen. The winner, popular former post commander Jim Milstead, came forward to receive the unexpected, but well deserved gift, recieving a round of applause.
To end the formal ceremony, President Weszka played a video entitled "Before You Go” by Dr. Sam and the Managed Care Blues Band, a moving tribute to Vietnam veterans to thank them for their service. It can be viewed online on Youtube. Auxiliary Vice President Cathy Milstead led the group in singing Lee Greenwood’s song "God Bless the USA”. As the large group all held hands, they raised them high during the rousing chorus, singing "I’m proud to be an American…"
D. J. Frankie S. once again turned up the volume on the music, filling the dance floor with Veterans, their families and their friends. Tonight they will go home with the knowledge that their community does recognize their contributions, even though we often pass them in the grocery store not knowing that they served us. The next time you see a gray haired senior sporting a "Vietnam Veteran” cap, take a moment to thank them for their service. The young warrior inside the old veteran will appreciate the gesture, and so will you.
