County, International Falls recognizes area Vietnam vets, and local VFW to celebrate with public breakfast
“... Due to the unpopularity of this 11-year war, the soldiers who survived, and the 58,195 brave souls who fought and died, were not given the respect and gratitude they deserved for serving their country; ...”
The above words are part of the state of Minnesota’s proclamation that March 29 be designated Vietnam Veterans Day.
On March 1, the International Falls City Council passed a proclamation to so designate the day.
Linda Chezick, representing the Peter Graham VFW Auxiliary, visited with Koochiching County commissioners Tuesday, where the board also passed its own proclamation to recognize local Vietnam veterans.
A public breakfast at which veterans will be served free of charge will be held in their honor on Sunday, March 28, preceding Vietnam Veterans Day, from 8 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at the local VFW. A suggested $5 donation per meal will be asked from other members of the public.
“This is the 38th anniversary of when U.S. troops were withdrawn from Vietnam,” Chezick told the board. “It’s (the breakfast) a special occasion to honor veterans who really were not given a very warm welcome when they came home.”
Commissioner and Vietnam veteran Wade Pavleck said he had recently been to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington D.C. and visited the grave of his fallen Vietnam buddy. He also acknowledged that the topic is very close to home for Chezick herself, whose brother Anton Proszek, Jr. lost his life on April 27, 1967 in the Vietnam War.
Of the names listed on the Vietnam Memorial Wall in the nation’s Capitol, 1,072 of those who gave all, are from Minnesota.
In his proclamation, Gov. Tim Pawlenty invited all citizens, both in public ceremonies and private thoughts and prayers, to gratefully acknowledge this special group of veterans.
Chezick said that Sunday’s breakfast is open to all of Koochiching County.
