The Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Missouri Chapter honored the service and sacrifice of Vietnam-Era Veterans as well as their family members during a ceremony in conjunction with the 504th Military Police Battalion Association 68th Reunion.
The Chapter is among organizations nationwide who honors veterans who served from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of service location. The ceremony was hosted by the AUSA Chapter in partnership with the Military Police Regimental Association (MPRA) in Waynesville.
The ceremony included remarks by Command Sgt. Maj. Ret., Rick Morris, Civilian Aide to the Secretary of the Army-Missouri South, Command Sgt. Maj. Ret., Greg Kleinholz, and Command Sgt. Maj. Freddie Brock, President of AUSA Fort Leonard Wood Mid-Missouri.
Each of the 20 veterans and 10 of their spouses were presented with a certificate and a commemorative Vietnam Veteran lapel pin, provided in partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. All of these individuals served in Vietnam at some point between 1968 and 1973. Many of them served multiple tours.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ret. Rick Morris encouraged all the veterans in attendance to tell their story. “Freedom isn’t free, and no one knows that better than the veterans sitting in this room,” he said. “You made a difference, and we need your voice.” The ceremony was also to recognize those service members who have lost their lives serving their country. Of the 2.7 million service members who fought in Vietnam, 58,000 were killed. “We take this day to pause and appreciate. Our generation has learned many lessons from yours—the first of those is gratitude,” Morris said.
Command Sgt. Maj. Ret. Freddie Brock reflected on his experience of his father being away during Vietnam and the connection that created for them as he began his journey in the military. “Many of our Vietnam veterans did not receive the gratitude and recognition they deserved,” said Brock. “Today we have the privilege of properly saying thank you.”
During the ceremony, each veteran’s name was called. Brock and Morris took turns pinning the lapel pins on the veterans and presenting their certificates with pride.
To date, the AUSA Chapter has welcomed home 619 Vietnam-Era Veterans. Since 2021, the Chapter has honored Vietnam Veterans in formal ceremonies, at local coffee shops, and by going to veterans in their homes.
There are ceremonies scheduled for September 30th in Salem, Missouri and November 12th in Lebanon, Missouri. To register a veteran or for more information, contact Freddie Brock at fltbrock@gmail.com.