PORT ANGELES — Thirty-five years after the war ended, Vietnam War veterans will be welcomed home with a ceremony Tuesday.
“It’s time. It’s been enough years, and it’s time,” said Norman Goodin of Port Angeles, who wrote the original proclamation and pushed for the state to establish the Welcome Home Veterans Day.
The Clallam County Veterans Association will host the first “Welcome Home Veterans Day — To Honor and Thank Vietnam Veterans” from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m. at the Clallam County Veterans Center, 261 S. Francis St., Port Angeles.
“I think it’s one of the greatest things going,” said Goodin, 63, who returned from the Vietnam War in 1968.
“I remember getting home, getting off a plane in Sacramento, Calif., and getting spit at,” he said.
A welcome home ceremony “is way past due,” he added.
Gov. Chris Gregoire signed the proclamation last month.
It declares March 30 to be Welcome Home Veterans Day, saying that the day marks the 35th anniversary of the U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War.
PA veteran ‘flew solo’
Goodin was instrumental in establishing Welcome Home Veterans Day in Washington state, Clallam County Veterans Coordinator Tammy Sullenger said.
He “flew solo” in his effort to have the day placed on the state calendar, said Scott Buck, veterans’ assistant at the Port Angeles Veterans Center,
The veteran wrote an early version of the proclamation last June.
He cut it to one page, and worked with state officials to have it signed by the governor.
During Tuesday’s ceremony, which is open to the public, Clallam County Commissioner Mike Doherty will read the governor’s proclamation.
“More than 58,000 individuals made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and thousands more were wounded in combat,” the proclamation reads.
“Whereas, 2,086 Americans are still missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam conflict, and their families, friends and fellow veterans still endure uncertainty concerning their fate.
“Whereas, the 35th anniversary presents the opportunity to honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans for all that they have given in the service of our country.”
POW/MIA not forgotten
A POW/MIA table — with explanations of the items on it — will be set up during the program.
Retired Col. Don Roberts and Clallam County Veterans’ Association Vice President Martin Arnold will make remarks.
American Legion Post 29 Patriot Riders will form an Avenue of Honor and conduct a flag-folding ceremony.
The Mount Olympus Chapter of the Marine Corps League Honor Guard will close the program with a rifle salute followed by the playing of taps.
Goodin, who plans to attend the program, complimented Sullenger, Buck and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 1024 for putting together the Clallam County observance.
“I think they did just a smash job in putting this together — just the greatest,” he said.
Goodin returned home this week after two weeks away, and found numerous messages of thanks on his phone, he said.
“I’m so elated about it,” he said, referring to the statewide proclamation.
“I feel really good about myself for doing this.”
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Reporter Rob Ollikainen can be reached at 360-417-3537 or at rob.ollikainen@peninsuladailynews.com.
