FAYETTEVILLE — When Vietnam War veteran Pete Rathmell returned from war 45 years ago, he remembered people spitting on fellow veterans.
“I was from a Navy town so I didn’t experience that same negativity,” he said. “But I knew guys who had come back from doing what the government asked them to do and they were getting spit on. Today, most veterans are welcomed back and appreciated.”
The U.S. government passed a resolution in 2011 designating March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
Rathmell said the Department of Veterans Affairs partnered with local veterans’ organizations for a second year to welcome back all veterans in Northwest Arkansas with a picnic at the University of Arkansas’ Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena on Saturday.
The event featured performances by the Singing Men of Arkansas and presentation of colors by the Bentonville Honor Guard.
“The idea initially was to welcome home Vietnam vets because they never got a proper welcome home,” Rathmell said. “We got to talking about it and thought, why restrict it to Vietnam? Let’s open it up to all vets.”
Tom Pearcy, a Vietnam War veteran, said he appreciated the country’s gratitude for his service.
“It’s nice that the country has selected a particular day to welcome home the Vietnam veterans,” the Bella Vista resident said. “I think by honoring all veterans, it makes it even more special. We, as Vietnam vets, wouldn’t be here without the veterans who served before us.”
While veterans today are treated with more respect than during the Vietnam War era, Rathmell admitted there’s room for improvement.
“What I don’t like is that the backlog at the VA is two or three years,” he said. “These guys and gals are coming back with (post traumatic stress disorder) and other issues and they’re getting lost in the system because it’s so overwhelmed with Iraq and Afghanistan veterans.”
Rathmell said a group from the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks attended Saturday’s picnic.
State Sen. Cecile Bledsoe, R-Rogers, read a proclamation declaring March 30 as “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.”
Rear Adm. Luke McCollum, who serves as deputy director of Maritime Headquarters for the U.S. Fleet Forces Command, served as keynote speaker.
“This is a time where we can reflect,” he said. “And as we do, I ask us to think briefly of the men and women who are doing what many of you in this audience have already done. We need to reflect, think and ponder their sacrifice at this very moment.”
McCollum spoke about the importance of family support to those in the military.
He asked veterans to stand as he recognized individuals who served in each war
“This is important because of the reception you probably didn’t have,” he said. “To you, I want to say thank you and welcome home.”