Veterans who have never been formally recognized will finally be given “A Welcome Home” in person.

The Fort Stanwix and Oneida Chapters, NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution — DAR) will humbly award the Vietnam War Commemoration Honorary Partner of Distinction to members of the Vietnam Veterans of America #944 (VVA).

This is a way of honoring all those who “Bore the Battle or Bore the Loss.” The DAR is cordially inviting members of the VVA #944 as well as all who served in the military to attend and help honor this group of veterans.

All Vietnam Veterans who have not yet gotten their “Welcome Home” and Vietnam War commemorative lapel pins are encouraged to come so that they, too, can be honored on this very special day. The “Surviving Spouse Pin” will also be given to the spouses of Vietnam veterans who have passed away.

The event will take place from 3 to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 29, at the Alexander Hamilton Institute, 21 W. Park Row, Clinton. For more information, contact Penelope Stone at penny.stone3@gmail.com or Donna Rubin at loomisrubin@windstream.net.

Often we lose sight of the fact:

“It was the veteran, not the preacher, who has given us freedom of religion.

It was the veteran, not the reporter, who has given us freedom of the press.

It was the veteran, not the poet, who has given us freedom of speech.

It was the veteran, not the lawyer, who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It was the veteran, not the campus organizer, who has given us freedom to demonstrate.

It was the veteran, not the politician, who has given us the right to vote.

It was the veteran, who salutes the flag, who served under the flag, and whose coffin is draped by the flag, who allows the protester to burn the flag.”

— By Father Dennis Edward O’Brien, USMC.

Those who served in the military, either through conscription or voluntarily, have given us a strong America that most of us casually enjoy. The men and women who reported for duty performed their duty to the best of their ability, and by doing so, they gave of themselves. Some gave all, but all gave some sacrifice so all Americans could live in a land of unpreceded blessings.

Answering the call to protect and preserve our unique democracy is truly a noble deed. We must not let over 200 years of sacrificial giving be diminished by a disrespectful disregard of our citizenship duty to honor all military veterans.

Joseph P. Bottini, Veteran, Sauquoit and Mary L. Bottini, DAR (Oneida Chapter) Member, Sauquoit