• Article Photo. Boys Scouts from Pack 47 joined veterans during the parade Wednesday evening.
    Boys Scouts from Pack 47 joined veterans during the parade Wednesday evening.
  • Article Photo. The color guard leads the way during the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Parade.
    The color guard leads the way during the Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Parade.
  • Article Photo. Vietnam vets posed for a photo along with other veterans after the parade.
    Vietnam vets posed for a photo along with other veterans after the parade.
  • Article Photo. World War II and Korea veterans also posed for a photo.
    World War II and Korea veterans also posed for a photo.
  • Article Photo. Veterans salute during the ceremony.
    Veterans salute during the ceremony.
  • Article Photo. A large crowd gathered at the courthouse to honor Vietnam veterans.
    A large crowd gathered at the courthouse to honor Vietnam veterans.
  • Article Photo. Iowa Legion Commander Jerry Sebben and Legion member Monte Railsback salute the flags.
    Iowa Legion Commander Jerry Sebben and Legion member Monte Railsback salute the flags.
  • Article Photo. This Vietnam vet's hat tells his story in medals and pins.
    This Vietnam vet's hat tells his story in medals and pins.
  • Article Photo. Monte Railsback speaks during the ceremony, as MC Ron Geiger listens.
    Monte Railsback speaks during the ceremony, as MC Ron Geiger listens.
  • Article Photo. The raising of the U.S. and MIA/POW flag
    The raising of the U.S. and MIA/POW flag
  • Article Photo. Veterans of the Gulf wars were also honored.
    Veterans of the Gulf wars were also honored.
  • Article Photo. The Honor Guard lines up as the ceremony begins.
    The Honor Guard lines up as the ceremony begins.
  • Article Photo. Parade participants rode in a variety of vehicles.
    Parade participants rode in a variety of vehicles.
  • Article Photo. Ron Geiger salutes Iowa Legion Commander Jerry Sebben.
    Ron Geiger salutes Iowa Legion Commander Jerry Sebben.
  • Article Photo. Vietnam veterans ride together in the parade.
    Vietnam veterans ride together in the parade.
  • Article Photo. Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans: Parade honors those who served.
    Welcome Home, Vietnam Veterans: Parade honors those who served.
  • Article Photo. Several citizens also joined the parade to thank veterans.
    Several citizens also joined the parade to thank veterans.

 

     The chimes from the Wesley United Methodist Church tower played patriotic music as hundreds of people gathered long the streets and at the courthouse to honor the area's Vietnam veterans.

    On March 30, 1973, the U.S. formally ended its participation in the Vietnam War under the treaty of Paris (although the last U.S. soldier was killed there in May of 1975). To give the Vietnam veterans a long-overdue thank you and welcome home, the U.S. Senate passed a resolution declaring March 30 to be "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

    Veterans organizations, the local Boy Scouts and many others spent Wednesday evening in downtown Vinton, where a parade and a courthouse lawn ceremony honored those who served in Vietnam.

     Vietnam veterans rode together in the parade, followed by fire trucks and others, including area students who carried a banner honoring veterans. The parade ended near the courthouse, where several speakers spoke briefly about Vietnam, and the Americans who served and died there.

     Speakes urged the audience to remember those veterans who died in Vietnam, as well as the 100,000 Vietnam veterans who have committed suicide and the 150,000 who are still homeless. Vinton Mayor John Watson read the proclamation that calls on America to honor all of its veterans, and to help them readjust to civilian life when they return home from war. Speakers included Iowa Legion Commander Jerry Sebben, Iowa AMVETS Denny Miller and Monte Railsback, a Shellsburg Legion member who served two tours of duty in Vietnam.

    At the end of the ceremony, Tom Pingenot led the audience in an impromptu chant of "Welcome Home."