Blog: Vietnam War Veterans Recieve Long Overdue 'Welcome Home'

Many may not know this, but Montrose is home to first Vietnam Memorial in the entire nation at the corner of Honolulu and Ocean View.  On Saturday morning, the memorial was home to a long overdue "Welcome Home" ceremony for those who served in the military during the Vietnam War. 

I had the opportunity to attend the event with my parents and sister and brother in-law, and was happy to see there was standing room only and many generations in attendance to honor our soliders who recieved the opposite reception from the media and public when they returned from the conflict.  In attendance were members of the American Legion Post 288, Boy Scout Troop 288, the Crescenta Valley High School ROTC Color Guard, Vietnam War Veterans and many grateful members of the public.

The event featured remarks from veterans Mike Baldwin, Lynn McGinnnis, Warren Spayth and others, the Armed Forces Medeley and a flag folding ceremony to honor those who gave the ultimate sacrifice which concluded with the playing of "Taps" on a trumpet.  I was touched and nearly brought to tears on several occassions during the ceremony and hope this small token of appreciation is heard by the soilders who were unfairly mocked and ridiculed by many opponents of the war. Perhaps the most touching moment was during the playing of "Taps" every person in earshot, whether it was in the front row, someone picking up some coffee at Coffee Bean or getting cash from the Chase Bank ATM stood in respect. The Crescenta Vally ought to be proud to have always been at the forefront of righting the wrongs that these soliders endured.

The memorial was installed in 1968 after the work Ledger newspaperman Don Carpenter and "Mr. Montrose" Frank Roberts did to gain support for its establishment. Though it was the first memorial, of course it was not the last; and though Saturday's Welcome Home event was the first I was excited to hear that it too will not be the last as the event will now be an annual occurance.