Vietnam veterans honored
Medals, citations presented to vets from three countiesBy COLIN KYLER ckyler@timesobserver.com
Vietnam War veterans from three counties received citations and medals from State Rep. Kathy Rapp in Warren on Saturday, recognizing the contributions made by a generation of service members.
Veterans from Warren, Forest and McKean counties attended the event at St. Joseph Church Center.
Rapp said she remembers the war distinctly as a time when a generation and nation were divided.
"It was a turbulent time," she said. "Today we pay special tribute also to those who paid the ultimate sacrifice."
Warren County Director of Veterans Affairs Ed Burris talked about benefits available for veterans.
"Agent Orange was used to clear trees," he said. "It causes diabetes and a list of cancers."
Researches are also conducting studies on its relationship to Parkinson's disease, Burris said.
"If you know a veteran who has or had these afflictions, tell them to see their county veterans' director," he said. "They're entitled to compensation."
Burris says it's inevitable after speaking at an event somebody tells him they didn't know their ailment was caused by Agent Orange.
"Some people don't want to apply for benefits," he said. "They say, 'I made it home.' But they suffer from the effects of their service."
Burris said service members who die because of ailments from serving in the military, spouses are entitled to compensation.
"Pensions are available for those living in nursing homes," he said. "Your children are eligible for college assistance."
Burris said Vietnam veterans fought for the benefits all veterans have today.
"You didn't quit," he said. "You demanded proper respect. I applaud you for all you've done."
Maj. Gen. Walter Pudlowski, U.S. Army (Ret.), delivered the keynote address.
"It's easy to be overcome with pride when surrounded by patriots such as yourselves," he said.
Many of those who served in Vietnam were fresh out of high school, Pudlowski said.
"Many were just 17 or 18," he said. "You all answered the call."
Unlike other wars, Pudlowski said there were no front or rear lines in Vietnam.
"It was a war covered by television crews," he said. "Those back home had trouble separating the war from its warriors."
Service members were portrayed as perpetrators of death and violence, Pudlowski said.
"You came home to criticism through no fault of your own," he said.
Pudlowski said Americans are rethinking the war.
"Your children want to know what you did and why," he said. "Thank you for your courage and patience with your fellow Americans."
Vietnam veteran Bill Ergott said he had a lot of bad experiences during the conflict.
"I don't like to talk about it because of the flashbacks," he said.
Today's wars in Afghanistan and Iraq are the same thing, Ergott said.
"It will never end," he said. "The best our people can do is bring them home and protect our shores. We have enough military personnel to do that now. We can't do it overseas."
Ergott said Vietnam veterans don't receive enough recognition.
"We were spit on," he said. "We were treated terribly."
