Vietnam Veterans Welcomed Home in Goldsboro

Vietnam Veterans Welcomed Home in Goldsboro

Veterans gathered in Goldsboro to mark March 29, Vietnam Veterans Day.


President of the Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition Eric Busse says “The Vietnam veterans, when they came home from serving, they didn’t get the ‘welcome home’ they truly deserved. We want to make sure they’re truly honored and they were welcomed home now.”


In attendance was Joe Marm, a Medal of Honor Recipient who was injured in the the Battle of Ia Drang Valley. This was the subject of a Mel Gibson movie based on a book by Marm’s commanding officer Lt. Gen. Harold G. Moore.


Marm now lives in Fremont. He says he was treated well after returning from the war.


Members of the Wayne County Veterans and Patriots Coalition stood outside the Wayne County Museum calling out “welcome home” to attendees. Goldsboro Mayor David Ham spoke of his Vietnam service. Members of the Seymour Johnson Air Force Base honor guard stood before the veterans who attended. Each branch of service was represented and during a medley of service songs, individual veterans joined in to honor their branch.


The names of Wayne County service members who died in Vietnam were read, and dog tags were hung on a display as a bell tolled

.
The young service members seemed interested in the military exhibits in the museum.
“This is a military community so there’s lots of retirees that have been here. Lots of folks who are part of this community that’s helped to build Goldsboro,” Busse added.


Many of the veterans wore jackets and caps noting their service. Some rode motorcycles and wore vests reminding others of their service.

The event ended on a somber note, with the playing of taps in honor of those who never came home.

Share

Events