'Welcome Home' for Vietnam vets set for Saturday
Rock Hill will finally honor Vietnam vets like Mutt and his brothers in arms
By Andrew Dys - Columnist His name is Edward McCrorey, but even at 61, as he walks through the hallway of the old York County building on Cherry Road, the name "Mutt" rings out.
McCrorey has been Mutt in Rock Hill on ball fields and streets and churches since he has walked - maybe before. He was Mutt on the worst battlefields on earth in Vietnam.
Mutt is not a pejorative. It is a nickname. A name of respect. A man with a nickname that has lasted 61 years through hell on earth in a war, and still counting - that's somebody known and loved.
This call-out came from the guy who runs that county building, a giant of a man in this city, Magistrate Judge Bob Davenport.
"Mutt, man, it is good to see you," said Davenport.
"Good to be seen," said Mutt.
Mutt is at the building Tuesday because it houses the county's veterans affairs office. That's where people who served in the military go to get their benefits handled, where they meet others just like themselves.
Mutt is more than some veteran. His hat says "USMC." His shirt says "Vietnam Veteran." His face says, when it comes to Vietnam and combat and what a skinny kid from Rock Hill had to do for his country, "Horror."
On Saturday at District Three Stadium, this area will honor vets like Mutt for the first time with a "Welcome Home" ceremony.
It comes 39 years after Mutt came home.
Read more: Welcome Home for Vietnam vets set for Saturday
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