Vietnam War remembered
Office of Military Affairs partners with local veteran groups to honor sacrifices
The rain could not hinder the American patriotism that radiated from the corner of Ninth and Court Street in downtown Lynchburg March 27.
Patriots — Veterans from various American wars gathered at the Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg to pay tribute to those who fought in the Vietnam War. Photo credit: Amber Tiller
In celebration of the 40-year anniversary of the Vietnam War ending April 1975, Liberty’s Office Of Military Affairs held a Vietnam War Commemoration event at the Monument Terrace in downtown Lynchburg.
The event started at 1 p.m. when veterans and their families gathered for cookies, coffee and hot chocolate. The veterans welcomed each other as they flooded the sidewalk, most dressed in either a hat or jacket that displayed their branch in the military or the word “veteran.”
Signs reading “Honk if you support our troops” that were placed along the street led to a barrage of blaring horns and applause from those who passed by the event. Veterans held up multiple military flags, as well as two American flags as they stood in the rain.
Kathi Kuenzi, who works at the Office of Military Affairs, said this event is a take on something that happens every Friday.
“This is where all the Veterans meet,” Kuenzi said. “I am a veteran also, and we meet here every Friday at noon. “Kuenzi said Lynchburg veteran Steve Bozeman was the one who started the event in November 2001.
“Today particularly we are partnering with Mr. Bozeman to pay special tribute to the Vietnam veterans since this is the 40th anniversary since the war (ended),” Kuenzi said. “Liberty University has a partnership with the Department of Defense right now, and this is our first event together.”
At around 12:30 p.m., Liberty graduate student and staff member Stephanie Lambert sang the national anthem while veterans and surrounding spectators saluted the American flag. Soon after, veterans spoke about their gratitude for the event, and one Veteran shared a poem that spoke of his appreciation of veterans and particularly of Vietnam veterans.
The names of 27 soldiers who died in the war from Lynchburg and the surrounding areas were read. After each name was read, a bell rang to honor their memory. Taps was played as veterans removed their hats and paid tribute to those who had fallen.
The event ended around 2 p.m. with a closing prayer, and then veterans and their families were invited to take free T-shirts from the Office of Military Affairs.
According to Kuenzi, there will be a Liberty baseball game on Sunday, April 12 that will honor Vietnam War veterans.
FOLEY is a news reporter.