Vietnam vets get fair shout-out

Vietnam vets get fair shout-out
By Amy Schweitzer
WORLD-HERALD NEWS SERVICE

GRAND ISLAND, Neb. — Vietnam War veterans gave all subsequent veterans a great gift, said John Hilgert, director of the Nebraska Department of Veterans Affairs.

Hilgert was the guest speaker Monday during the Nebraska State Fair Veterans Day Celebration. The event was a salute to all veterans but gave special recognition to Vietnam War veterans.

"Certainly the sacrifice of the Vietnam veteran is well documented," Hilgert said, adding that as a Gulf War veteran he wanted to thank those veterans for the treatment he received.

"The Vietnam veteran taught this country a valuable lesson on how to treat the warrior upon their return. Never again will America question the commitment of the men and women they sent into harm's way.

"That is a special gift that the Vietnam veterans not only gave to this Gulf War veteran but to all veterans who came afterward."

About 250 veterans, their spouses and families attended the celebration in the Heartland Events Center. When asked to stand according to their era of service, most were Vietnam veterans, with a handful of World War II veterans and even fewer who served in Grenada, Panama, the Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom and Afghanistan.
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