Forty years ago when he came home from Vietnam, Pete Rathmell did not face the protests many young veterans faced because he returned to San Diego, a Navy town. But, he said, many other young military personnel did.
The plight of the veterans of the Vietnam War resurfaced for Rathmell recently, he said.
A couple of years ago, Rathmell was on a trip when he heard a radio report about a small town in the Midwest where veterans were being honored. He realized many veterans have not been recognized for their service. So, he set out to solve the problem and thus began the Veteran assembly now prepared for its second annual event this Saturday in Fayetteville.
At last year’s event, Rathmell recalled that Steve Gray, Sen. John Boozman’s affairs representative, emceed. He asked for all the World War II veterans to stand, then the Korean veterans. Finally, he asked the Vietnam veterans to stand and the other veterans surrounded them and welcomed them home.
“I can tell you, there were a lot of wet faces in the crowd that day,” Rathmell said.
Another amazing thing happened last year. “It was really unbelievable,” Rathmell said. “After the program was over, I was wandering around and saw a Vietnamese lady and guy sitting there talking, hugging and crying.
I asked what’s going on and the lady told me that when she was a young girl in Vietnam, this man and his squad liberated her village.”
Arkansas was the 11th state to make a proclamation making March 30 Vietnam Veterans’ Day.
The facility is usually rented for $1,000, but was rented to the veterans at a discount last year and for even less this year.
One special this year will be an echo rendition of Taps by the Bugles Across America.
Rathmell said he’s grateful for the provision of food by Sam’s Wholesale Club and Walmart.
Rathmell, a native of California, returned from Vietnam with bronze stars, he said. Later, he and his wife moved to northwest Arkansas after he retired from 30 years with AT&T.
They bought a small business, Smithco Office Supply and finally retired this past November. The couple have been married for 43 years, have two children and two grandchildren.
“Welcome Home Veterans” picnic set
The second annual “Welcome Home Veterans” picnic will be from 11 a.m.
-2 p.m. Saturday, March 30, at the Pauline Whitaker Animal Science Arena, Ark. Hwy. 112 South (exit 66), Fayetteville. The event is sponsored by a coalition of veterans organizations in northwest Arkansas including the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion, the U.S. Submarine Veterans and the Northwest Arkansas Women Veterans to name a few.
There will be food, entertainment and guest speakers. There will also be tables staffed by Veterans Support Organizations.
The public is encouraged to attend as well and donations to support this event will be greatly appreciated.
Donations can also be mailed to WHV, c/o VFW Post 2952, P.O. Box 6154, Springdale, AR 72766.
Checks should be made out to WHV c/o USS Snook Base/USSVI.
For information, contact Randy George at 601-5539 or Pete Rathmell at 359-2689.
News, Pages 1 on 03/27/2013