By RICK MILLER
Olean Star
OLEAN — Seventy-five Vietnam-era veterans lined up Wednesday at Cutco Theater at Jamestown Community College to receive pins commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
The pinning ceremony attended by Vietnam-area veterans from Cattaraugus and Allegany counties was one of several organized by U.S. Rep. Nick Langworthy in counties across the 23rd Congressional District.
“My only regret is that this ceremony is 50 years too late,” Langworthy told veterans — many in their 80s — and their families. “God bless you all.”
Children played a part in the ceremony as well, with Quinlan Johnson singing the National Anthem, Addie and Jeff Sweet singing Amazing Grace and three members of Girl Scout Troop 1037 leading the audience in the Pledge of Allegiance.
Bob Fairbanks, a member of the Allegany American Legion Honor Guard, played Taps.
Other speakers included Paula Snyder, executive director of the Cattaraugus County Campus of Jamestown Community College; Olean Mayor Bill Aiello, Assemblyman Joseph Giglio and State Sen. George Borrello.
Each speaker welcomed the veterans home and thanked them for their service.
“Many of you did not get the welcome home you deserved,” Langworthy told the veterans. Their sacrifices are the basis of our freedoms, he added.
“Your sacrifices didn’t end at the battlefield,” the congressman said. Some have physical and emotional scars they will carry for a lifetime. “It is a grateful nation that honors you,” he added.
“You continue to serve your communities and raised families,” Langworthy said. The leadership Vietnam veterans have shown has helped build strong community institutions.
Allegany County Clerk Rob Chrisman served as master of ceremonies.
One veteran who attended, Bruce Rossette of Humphrey, said afterward, “It humbles me. It’s just all these people here who feel like I do. I’m thankful that people want to recognize us. These are men and women who would die for a stranger.”
Rossette’s wife Kathleen saw news of the Vietnam-era Pinning Ceremony on the internet and thought her husband might be interested. A longtime fireman and former Holland Fire Company chief, is currently a Cattaraugus Fire Police volunteer. He is also a Farm Bureau past president.
Another Vietnam-era veteran who attended and received a pin from Langworthy was Dwight “Mike” Healey, the Allegany County GOP chairman.
“It means a lot to me that we are recognizing all the Vietnam veterans who are here,” Healey said. “We should also be mindful of the people who continue to serve.”
Healey said that at one time, service in Vietnam was a stigma. Some servicemen were spat on in airports when they returned from Vietnam, he said. “This helps guys heal those wounds. It’s great to be remembered.”
“It was my honor to host the pinning ceremony to thank our brave Vietnam-era veterans from Cattaraugus and Allegany Counties for their service and sacrifice,” Langworthy said.
“Thank you to all who came out to give these heroes the ‘welcome home’ they deserve. Their patriotism and dedication to our nation are a powerful reminder of the courage it takes to defend our freedoms and a model for future generations.”
