JANESVILLE – Veterans, family and friends filled the Veterans of Foreign Wars post 6321. Attendance was expected to be large with tables setup with chairs on both sides as state Rep. Camille “Bud” George honored veterans, mostly, from the Vietnam War. People of all walks attended, toddlers, World War II veterans, people wearing formal suits to t-shirts and jeans, to honor those who served in the United State’s Armed Services.
George is himself a veteran, the last veteran of World War II to still serve in the Pennsylvania State House of Representatives.
Around 70 veterans were able to make it to the honoring. George’s office was able to get the names of over 90 veterans before the event, two of which were honored in memory. Certificates and medals were awarded to those who were able to show arrive. To one of the veterans who had passed on, his medal and certificate were received by his son Jeremy Philips.
“Pennsylvanians have always understood that freedom isn’t free,” said George during his speech.
George stated that 3,144 Pennsylvanians died in Vietnam; 8,400 were wounded; 2,800 were repatriated prisoners of war. One hundred and seven Pennsylvanians still unaccounted for.
According to George, Vietnam Veterans deserved commendation, “… for the service, sacrifice and devotion to serve in the most trying time in this nation’s history.”
Veterans were honored by which of the five branches of the armed services they had belonged to. None present were in the Coast Guard. The largest group of veterans present were those in the Arm.
