HOLYOKE – The Daughters of the American Revolution will host a ceremony at the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke tomorrow to honor Vietnam veterans on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the ground war in Vietnam.
The 1 p.m. ceremony will specifically thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War who reside at the Soldiers’ Home. There are 68 veteran residents at the Home who served in Vietnam or who served on active duty during the Vietnam War.
The event will also mark the accomplishments of all Vietnam veterans. One of the greatest legacies of the war has been the work of its veterans in making sure that current and future generations of service members receive the support that many Vietnam veterans were never given, say event organizers.
“We will highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the men and women who served during the war,” said Debbie Windoloski of the Mary Mattoon Chapter of the DAR.
Windoloski said the country is stronger today because of Vietnam veterans who worked to improve benefits and services for all veterans and to improve perceptions of military service.
“They simply did their duty,” she said. “Our ceremony is our opportunity to say we are proud of their service and to thank them for all they have done to ensure the support given to all veterans.”
This spring marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the ground war in Vietnam with the deployment of 3,500 U.S. Marines. By war’s end in 1975, nearly 3 million service men and women fought in the conflict that would take the lives of more than 58,000 Americans. Vietnam veterans at the Soldiers’ Home will receive a certificate from the DAR in appreciation of their service. Cadets from the Air Force Junior ROTC program at Springfield Central High School will present the certificates.
Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 801 will present the colors. Larry White, a Vietnam veteran and member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 111, will sing the national anthem and recite a special poem written for Vietnam veterans. Taps to remember all the service members who died in Vietnam will be performed on the fiddle by noted musician Sarah Michel of the Soldiers’ Home.
In addition to DAR speakers, the ceremony will also feature remarks by Paul Barabani, superintendent of the Soldiers’ Home in Holyoke and a retired colonel in the U.S. Army. Keynote speaker will be Thomas E. Cleland Jr., a retired Air Force colonel and Vietnam War command pilot.
CCleland is the chairman, Aerospace Science Department, Springfield Central High School.
Cleland was born in Holyoke and graduated from Holyoke High School in 1961. He earned his Air Force commission as a distinguished graduate of the University of Massachusetts ROTC program in 1965.
The colonel is an Air Force command pilot with more than 5,500 flying hours in fighter, bomber, and trainer aircraft. During his 26-year Air Force career, he held a variety of command and senior leadership positions. Among his combat assignments, from 1969 to 1970 he flew 493 combat missions during the Vietnam War.
