Gathered around the steps of the Chautauqua County Court House, Chautauqua County veterans who served during the Vietnam War were officially welcomed home 50 years after the end of the war.

While the weather was not ideal for the event, the Welcome Home Ceremony was well attended by veterans and the local community. Wendel told the crowd that while those gathered at the event might have to “spend a little time in the cold,” the veterans being honored at the event had to endure far greater challenges during their time of service.

Addressing the veterans gathered at the event, Wendel said, “What you endured was far greater than what we could endure for a few minutes out here to recognize what you’ve done.”

Wendel explained that Friday’s event was “personal” for him because his father was a Vietnam veteran.

Pictured, from left, are 8th District American Legion Commander Henry Link and Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.

“My father and my namesake, Sergeant Paul M. Wendell, U.S. Marine Corps, served from 1967 to 1968 and a second tour from 1968 to 1969,” he said.

Wendel thanked the Vietnam and Vietnam era veterans for their service and acknowledged the many adversities each of the veterans faced both during the war and following the war.

While other veterans have received honor for their service, Wendel said the Vietnam veterans were not properly honored for their service.

“As we’ve said before, many of you came home to silence and crickets and nobody but your parents or loved ones to come out and greet you,” he said. “Hopefully you didn’t come home to protests and negativity, but we felt it only fitting this 50 years later, we would take time to recognize and welcome you all home.”

Gregory Carlson, Chautauqua County director of Veterans Affairs, expressed his gratitude for the Vietnam veterans, explaining that Vietnam veterans are one of his favorite groups of veterans. While he acknowledged that veterans from all eras are “certainly worthy of praise,” he explained that the Vietnam era veterans deserve a “special thank you” from the American people.

Pictured is Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel.

“There’s an old country song that goes, ‘I was country when country wasn’t cool,'” he said. “This group of Vietnam veterans here, they were patriots when being a patriot wasn’t necessarily cool. We appreciate them for serving this country, even if it wasn’t always appreciated.”

Following Carlson’s remarks, he officially welcomed home the Vietnam veterans. The crowd gathered outside the courthouse cheered for the group of veterans as they finally received an official ceremony honoring their service 50 years later.

Prior to the conclusion of the ceremony with a 21-gun salute, Wendel issued a proclamation from Chautauqua County, recognizing the service of 9 million Americans in active duty during the Vietnam era, with 2.7 million of them serving in Vietnam. Wendel paused for a moment of silence to remember the 58,318 Americans killed in action during the war, including 51 servicemen from Chautauqua County.

As part of his proclamation, Wendel acknowledged the physical and mental health issues that many veterans have faced as a result of their service to the United States during the Vietnam War. He also pointed out the “indifference, ridicule and scorn” that many veterans were greeted by when they returned from duty.

In contrast to the way Vietnam veterans were treated after the war, Wendel encouraged the community to honor the veterans for their service.

Pictured are Vietnam and Vietnam era veterans during Friday’s Welcome Home Ceremony in front of the Chautauqua County Court House. P-J photos by Timothy Frudd

“I, Paul M Wendel Jr., Chautauqua County Executive, do hereby proclaim January 27, 2023, as Vietnam and Vietnam Era Veteran’s Day,” he said. “I encourage strongly all residents of Chautauqua County to recognize and thank our veterans for their dedicated service to our country as we provide a much belated welcome home to these proud and distinguished veterans.”