In Plymouth, Veterans Day is one that’s set aside to thank and honor all those who served in the military in wartime or peacetime. And one of those who served in wartime is Denis Russell, the Post Commander of the town’s VFW or Veterans of Foreign Wars post. Russell enlisted and volunteered for service during the Vietnam War—a very unpopular war and a time in the U.S. when some young men of draft age left the country rather than be forced to serve. Russell talks about his service and what Veterans Day means to him and other vets.
WATD’s Bobbi Clark has more…
VFW Post Commander Russell says service to country runs in the family:
“I come from a line of family…my Dad for one, World War II, he was in the invasion of Normandy, where he was actually in Omaha Beach when they stormed the beaches.”
But the homecoming from World War II for Russell’s Dad was different than the one he experienced:
“When my tour in ‘Nam was up, I caught a C-130 plane back to the States—remember that’s a seventeen hour flight. I arrived at Travis Air Force Base in California and was kind of surprised that he commanding officer there greeted us with an “empty your bags”–so they searched for contraband and then we were told not to wear our uniform in public.”
Russell says this was quite contrary to his father’s homecoming:
“…where I remember he told us about an 8 course meal that they had. We didn’t get an 8 course meal. So I learned very quickly that the public really didn’t understand that we were doing what we wanted to do to uphold our country and its freedoms.”
So the observance of Veterans Day is meaningful…
“It’s a time to look back and understand that what you were willing to do was to help others. You put yourself in harm’s way in many cases, so that others would have a better life. And looking at all the veterans that come out and are greeted—it means a great deal.”
Veterans Day will be celebrated at Memorial Hall on Monday, the 11th at 11 a.m.
In Plymouth, Bobbi Clark, WATD News.
