By Amy Batista, Special Writer
HIGHTSTOWN – The local Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5700 celebrated its 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War on Memorial Day with a welcome home event and special parade float.
When the parade ended at the post, a special surprise was awaiting some veterans.
“We have come together today to honor those who have died fighting for our freedoms. And many people say that one of the ways to do that is to honor the living,” said Kris Gebhardt, a member of the VFW Auxiliary.
To do that, this year’s celebration honored the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War.
“Of course, every war has it’s own unique circumstances, but the Vietnam War was a little different in that it was an era where many people didn’t want us fighting over there. And when our soldiers came home, they weren’t welcomed in a positive way,” said Ms. Gebhardt.
She said there were protestors with negative signs and vicious slurs against men just trying to do what they thought was right and defend the country they love.
“These men are members of the Hightstown VFW and they are an interesting bunch of men – a little rough around the edges – but they are the finest, most honorable men you will meet and they will have your back every time,” said Ms. Gebhardt. “So, today I would like to try to erase some of those negative images of returning home and replace them with love, kindness and gratitude for their service.
She said that for the past two weeks, the veterans brought in some of their photos, which started a lot of good conversations amongst them.
“We are here to support our husbands, fathers, sons and they are there to support each other. It could’ve poured all day and that wouldn’t have changed the good things that were happening and I’m very happy they received it so well,” said Ms. Gebhardt.
She said that the idea started a few years back when she was a member of the ladies auxiliary.
“We were talking about the Vietnam vets and how different it was than the soldiers that come back in present day,” she said in an email on Monday. “We wanted to have a ‘do over’ if you will and welcome them home with the protestor signs replaced with ‘Welcome Home,’ ‘We Love You,’ and ‘Thank You’ signs.
“But it never came to fruition. And when my husband and I were coming up with ideas for the float, we realized it was the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, so we wanted to focus on that but not take away from what Memorial Day is all about.”
However, most people will say that the best way to honor those that have passed is to honor the living, she added. She said that they came up with the idea to have the guys bring in a picture of themselves from Vietnam.
“They were hesitant at first and then jumped right in,” said Ms. Gebhardt. “I asked them to give me pictures of them in uniform when they first joined and I enlarged them to 8×10 and made a mat behind them with the Vietnam colors and adhered them to the float.”
She made backgrounds behind each picture with the Vietnam Pin colors and then had her husband, Mike, make a bamboo wall to sit on the back of the float with the silhouette of a kneeling soldier in front of it. Mike Gebhardt is a Desert Storm veteran and post adjutant.
In addition, each of the veterans received a gift, which included a gift card to a local area business donated by Texas Roadhouse, City Streets Bar & Grill, Perkins Pancake House, the Bowling Alley, Italian Peoples Bakery, Mr, Subs and Tavern on the Lake.
Ms. Gebhardt said her partner in all of this, Phyllis Bronish – who is engaged to post Commander Bruce MacDougal – set everything up while the guys worked on the float.
“We have been planning this for a few months,” said Ms. Gebhardt.
“During the parade, myself and some other people walked the route and handed out 600 flags and then I read the following statement at the library when we stopped for the presentation of the wreath and the gun salute and taps.”
For more information or if any veterans that served in a foreign war are looking to join the VFW, contact Mike Gebhardt at 609-462-3328 or Commander Bruce MacDougal at 609-448-7893 or email him at [email protected].
