OTTAWA, Ohio (WLIO) — Vietnam veterans were honored and thanked for their service during a community ceremony in Putnam County recognizing Vietnam Veterans Day.
For nearly five years, the AMVETS Post in Ottawa has hosted the annual event to pay tribute to those who served during the Vietnam War. The ceremony honors both the fallen soldiers whose names are etched on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and those who returned home but did not receive the recognition they deserved.
Local veterans said continuing to hold events like this remains important to ensure those sacrifices are never forgotten.
“We never got a welcome home when we got came back. We did not come back as a unit. You went over more or less not in a unit, more or less individually. You came back when your time was up. You came back the same way. And I feel the veterans deserve it, the Vietnam Veterans, even the Vietnam era veterans, they all deserve it. When they went in the military, they signed a blank check, and it was up to and including your life, if necessary," says Donald Dorman, Commander Ottawa Amvets Post 2013.
In addition to the ceremony, the Putnam County Sheriff's Office K-9 unit provided a demonstration featuring K-9 Falko for those in attendance. Veterans were also treated to free food and coffee at The Grounded Café as a token of appreciation for their service.
