ROANOKE TIMES 

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: THURSDAY, March 14, 1991                   TAG: 9103140408
SECTION: EDITORIAL                    PAGE: A-12   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

DON'T FORGET OUR VIETNAM VETERANS

I WORK in the emergency room at the VA Medical Center, and I talk with veterans all day. Almost everyone who works there wears some symbol of patriotism for our troops in the Middle East, and they will come home to the arms of a grateful nation. There are some veterans that I talk to that have never felt the pride they should have: our Vietnam veterans.

There were no yellow ribbons hung from trees or car antennas when they were serving their country, no flags waving from businesses or houses, no songs of support, no banners or parades to welcome them. Instead of returning to a grateful nation, they came home to violence, isolation and hatred.

Our Vietnam veterans fought and died for you and me just like our Desert Storm troops; they didn't want war but were there to do what they were called to do. As an American, I am ashamed of how poorly they were treated.

As we embrace our troops returning and give them all the love, respect and honor they deserve, let's not forget our Vietnam veterans who fought a battle not only foreign but domestic. God bless America and all who serve. YVONNE GREGORY VINTON 


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