Traveling Tribute ceremonies pay tribute to Vietnam veterans' continued sacrifices

“Who are our Vietnam War veterans? Where are they from? What happened to them since they returned here? Where are they now?”

Guest speaker Senior Master Sergeant Renee Frey of the Ohio Air National Guard asked those questions in the introduction of her speech at the opening ceremonies of the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute at Liberty Park in Hillsboro.

As opening ceremonies kicked off Thursday morning at Liberty Park’s amphitheater, Frey’s questions will be remembered throughout the event, which concludes Sunday afternoon.

Frey said that the 3,400,000 soldiers who served in the conflict in Vietnam averaged “240 days of combat in one year,” and many returned home with post-traumatic stress disorder.

“I witnessed this personally with a friend’s father,” Frey said. “He suffered many sleepless nights and at times stood silent watch at night, protecting his family and his country from the invisible enemy.”

The traveling wall allows people everywhere to honor both veterans who have died and who are still alive, Frey said, and allows a “cathartic experience” for those who cannot travel to Washington, D.C. to pay their respects.

“It is a time to grieve, to reflect, to forgive; a time of healing and to tell your stories,” Frey said.

The event kicked off with the landing of a Black Hawk helicopter in the field behind the Vietnam Veterans Traveling Tribute Wall. The helicopter's personnel included Crew Chief Sgt. Britt Woodyard, the son of Chuck Woodyard and Tammy Woodyard, and the nephew of Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin.

The Highland County Honor Guard performed traditional ceremonies, including posting of the colors. Alberta Duncan sang the national anthem and read a dedication to all American prisoners of war and missing in action (POW-MIA). Highland County Commissioner Shane Wilkin led the crowd in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance.

Bill Graybill, chaplain of the Clermont County Chapter #649 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, provided the invocation at the beginning of the ceremony as well as a prayer at the end of the ceremony.

Wilkin also presented a proclamation to Support Our Troops of Highland County on behalf of the Highland County Commissioners, declaring May 28-31 as Vietnam Traveling Wall Weekend in Highland County.

Emcee Kevin Barreras also thanked SOTOHC, especially president Stephanie Roland, for bringing the wall to Hillsboro.

“They put out a Herculean effort,” Barreras said.

Hillsboro Mayor Drew Hastings provided his opening comments before the keynote speakers.

Hastings thanked SOTOHC, as well as the “city workers, volunteers, service organizations and veterans” who prepared Liberty Park for the event.

“I can’t think of any other event I would like Hillsboro to host more than this one,” Hastings said. “How fitting that this comes to small town America, where most of [those on the wall] came from.”

Keynote speaker Wendy Hepker, director of the Chillicothe Veterans Affairs Medical Center since June 2012, said the hospital’s 1,400 employees “honor and serve those who served our country so faithfully.”

Hepker said events such as the Hillsboro traveling tribute are important to “say thank you to specific groups who perhaps didn’t feel as thanked before and begin the process of healing.”

“I wish them well, I wish them healing and I wish God’s blessing upon them,” Hepker said.

Ohio Department of Veterans Services Director Timothy Gorrell also praised Vietnam War veterans for their continued bravery and service.

As Vietnam War veterans were often disrespected both during and after the war, Gorrell said they “could easily turn inward, be bitter and say ‘there was no praise when we got back.’”

Instead, they continue to serve their communities and honor fellow veterans, Gorrell said.

“They are the ones greeting veterans as they come home,” Gorrell said. “They are the ones fighting for benefits.

“We are are incredibly indebted and grateful to them.”

Similarly, despite the controversy of both the war and the original Vietnam War wall in Washington D.C., it is has turned into “one of the most revered memorials in the country,” Gorrell said.

Gorrell also presented a proclamation from Governor John Kasich to “commend the citizens of Hillsboro for celebrating veterans” this weekend.

The crowd was reminded to pay their respects to all veterans, as Frey answered the questions on Vietnam War veterans at the opening of her speech and solemnly saluted the crowd and the wall.

“Where are they now?” Frey said. “They are all around us, from Seattle, Washington to Miami, Florida.

“We see them every day, and we should appreciate their service so Vietnam War veterans will never be forgotten. I salute each and every one of you.”

The opening ceremonies concluded with a wreath-laying ceremony in front of the flags on the traveling wall.