Welcome Home: Veterans receive thanks 40 years after Vietnam War

Men in boots and jungle fatigues, the olive green uniforms soldiers wore in Vietnam, gathered in Clear Lake Saturday. Forty years after the end of the Vietnam War, North Iowa veterans would get the welcome they did not when they first came home from this controversial war.

On his 1968 flight back from a year-long tour of duty in Vietnam, 25-year-old Larry Olk watched as flight attendants offered everyone on the plane drinks – except those in uniform.  He watched again as they gave pillows and blankets to everyone on the plane – except those in uniform.

The soldiers exchanged stunned glances and realized the treatment they would receive when the plane landed. As was the custom, Olk threw away his uniform.

There were no parades. Flags didn’t wave at welcome-home rallies. Vietnam veterans walked quietly back into civilian life, scorned by their country. Some were spat on and many were called names.

Read the full article in the June 25 edition of the papers.

Sheffield Press & Pioneer Enterprise

The Sheffield Press
305 Gilman Street
PO Box 36
Sheffield, IA 50475
Phone:  641-456-2585

The Pioneer Enterprise
PO Box 302
Rockwell, IA 50469
Phone:  641.456.2585

Mid-America Publishing

This newspaper is part of the Mid-America Publishing Family. Please visit www.midampublishing.com for more information.