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While veterans of previous wars were welcomed home with celebrations and ticker tape parades, many Vietnam veterans received a less than gracious welcome when they returned home to the United States after serving in Vietnam.

While it has been nearly 50 years since the close of the Vietnam War, V.F.W. Post Commander Kimberly King said it is time to acknowledge their service and sacrifice.

“I’d say eight years ago, when we came up with this idea it was to, in a small way pay some honors and respect to our brothers and sisters that served in Vietnam from a vet, so veteran to veteran,” King said leading up to Seventh Annual Vietnam-era Veterans Dinner Thursday, March 28.

Welcoming more than 100 veterans and spouses for a meal and evening program, the event continues to be a successful way for the V.F.W. to show its appreciation for those serving during the Vietnam era.

“It is going great, we are going to have really good food…I want to go all out and show that we honor this particular set of veterans,” King said during the event.

Following a meal of steak or chicken, the evening’s programming began with a welcome from King and an invocation by U.S. Air Force V.F.W. Post 10904 Chaplin Bob Brinkman.

The Pledge of Allegiance and opening remarks were made by Master of Ceremonies and U.S. Army veteran Howard Thompson.

Thompson said that the event would not have been possible when they returned from Vietnam.

“Fifty-one years ago we were not even welcomed in some of our V.F.W. Posts in the United States,” he said. “Now it appears that the efforts of dedicated individuals have put forth the effort to let the truth be known about the Vietnam War.”