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FALL FFESTIVAL 22018 Page 13

the Festival. The veterans check IDs at ” Iraq, Afghanistan and elsewhere are
the entrance to the tent where the live The first thing I did encouraged to call (734) 459-6700 to
bands entertain and noted that people learn about membership and benefits
do drop more than the cover charge was get out offered to veterans.
into the jars when they realize that the of my uniform “That's therapeutic, people who
money all goes to the veterans' group. know what you're talking about. Who
The conflict the veterans of the even though better than another combat veteran?”
Vietnam War saw didn't end with their I was proud to wear it. Dignan asked.
return home during the late 1960s. He recalled leaving Vietnam, “It was
Many faced angry crowds, jeers and the the happiest day when I left there,” he
hostility of their fellow Americans. returns home from Vietnam and atti- said.
“The first thing I did was get out of tudes in the decades since then. Dignan said the post has a few
my uniform even though I was proud to “I think that was the welcome Korean veterans who are members. A
wear it,” veteran Rick Adis said. “I just home,” Dignan said of the 1982 con- couple of World War II veterans remain,
didn't want to take all the crap.” struction start of the Vietnam Veterans and Persian Gulf service personnel
Vietnam veteran Ron King of Memorial wall in Washington, D.C. King have joined in recent years, he added.
Plymouth Township recalled an airline noted the recent respectful reaction at The post is reaching out to younger
gate agent in San Diego, California, sug- the Plymouth Fourth of July Parade, veterans, and the men point with pride
gesting he change his clothes as his uni- including parade goers who stand to to Iraq combat medics James Kendall
form could offend some people. “We show gratitude to veterans. and Jessica Linna who have joined
didn't get treated well,” he said. The men hold leadership roles in recently
They sat down with Vietnam veter- both the Vietnam Veterans of America “I was in two years. That was
ans Don Dignan of Livonia, a Dearborn (VVA) Chapter 528 as well as the enough,” Lemoureux said of his
native, John Spencer who lives in Veterans of Foreign Wars Mayflower Lt. Vietnam service.” He was in country for
Canton and Bob Lamoureux, also of Gamble Post 6695, at 1426 S. Mill St. in
Canton, to discuss their respective Plymouth. Returning veterans from See Veterans, page 14