Vietnam veterans honored for 50th anniversary

HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — Many veterans call Alabama home, and many of those veterans served in the Vietnam War.

Congressman Dale Strong held a pinning ceremony for these veterans Thursday morning, wanting to celebrate their service to the country.

“We owe a debt of gratitude to the brave men and women who served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War to ensure freedom would prevail over the evils of communism. This ceremony will honor these courageous Americans as heroes who risked their lives in defense of freedom,” said Congressman Strong in a press release sent to News 19.

Any Vietnam veteran in the fifth Congressional District who served between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, is eligible for a pin and congressional recognition. Vietnam veteran Johnnie Goodwin says this ceremony is so special in comparison to the response veterans received when they first returned back home.

“Oh, it means a lot to me,” Goodwin said. “Because we know that we didn’t get what we deserved when we left Vietnam, so today is a great day. I just thank God for my family and everything. And thank him for the freedom as we have today. If it wasn’t for us, we wouldn’t have this freedom.”

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WHNT.com.