This is part of a broader, overdue program to thank over 200,000 of Georgia’s Vietnam veterans for their service. From the Columbus Ledger-Enquirer:
Georgia recognizes Vietnam vets who served in Marine Corps
- 19 Marines from the Chattahoochee Valley were presented a State Certificate of Honor and lapel pin for service in Vietnam
- The recognition is part of the state’s program to recognize 234,000 Georgia veterans who served in armed forces during Vietnam
- Program started a year ago as part of the 50th anniversary of the war
Minutes after he was presented a Certificate of Honor on Saturday, David Icard of Buena Vista recalled the night he saw five Marines severely wounded during a mortar attack near Da Nang in South Vietnam.Icard, 69, wasn’t welcomed home in April 1967, but he’s thankful to be among soldiers who returned alive from the war.
“They were all protesting,” he said as his plane landed in San Francisco. “Anybody that served didn’t feel too good about it.”
During a ceremony at the Marine Corps Detachment at Fort Benning, the Georgia Department of Veterans Service recognized Icard and 18 other Marines for their service in Vietnam. The recognition is part of the state veterans service program and Gov. Nathan Deal to honor 234,000 Georgia veterans who served in the armed forces during the war.
Mike Roby, commissioner of the Georgia Department of Veterans Service, joined state Sen. Ed Harbison, a Vietnam War veteran in the Marines, to recognize members of the Marine Corps League.
“I think it’s long overdue,” Roby said of the ceremony. “I think it is something we should have done a long time ago. It is an honor to be part of recognizing the service that they gave in Vietnam.”
Since the program started last year as part of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, Roby said the veterans service has presented more than 10,000 certificates and 8,500 lapel pins.
“Our goal is to reach all 234,000 Georgia veterans who served during that time,” he said…
Russ Madison, Jr. 