May 6: Welcome Home Groups Honor All Veterans
On April 13, Edward Strickland questioned the Welcome Home events for soldiers returning from Iraq and Afghanistan. On behalf of Welcome Home Soldiers, I extend a sincere apology to Mr. Strickland and all our veterans.
You are right; we were not there for the brave military men and women who served our country during the Viet Nam and Korean wars. As you said, many of those veterans were criticized and treated very badly, and our hearts break with that knowledge.
Welcome Home Soldiers volunteers have come together to make sure that never happens again to our Tyler/Longview area military personnel, and the Patriot Guard Riders often join us in this effort. Many of our volunteers and most of the Patriot Guard Riders are veterans.
Both organizations seek to show the utmost respect and honor to all military personnel, and our Welcome Home events help current heroes know how much we appreciate their service and sacrifices for our country and for each of us to keep us safe and free here at home.
We hope those who were not welcomed will understand each Welcome Home event is meant to honor them, too. WHS and PGR also participate in activities which honor our veterans of previous wars and wish we could wave flags and cheer for each of them. We deeply regret the criticism and anger many of them faced, but although we cannot change what has happened, we can try to make sure such injustice never occurs again.
May God bless each U.S. veteran of previous wars and all of our military men and women who are serving now.
Anne DeLaet
Welcome Home Soldiers
Tyler
Welcome Home Soldiers
Tyler
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