Goodfellow AFB hosts final Vietnam veteran pinning ceremony

SAN ANGELO, Texas — Goodfellow Air Force Base is honoring Vietnam veterans as we approach the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Friday, the San Angelo Commemorative Partner Program pinned previously unrecognized Vietnam veterans with lapel pins, and also recognized the spouses of veterans who had passed away.

The ceremony was part of a larger ten-year-long project from the USA Vietnam War Commemoration program, meant to make amends for the mistreatment that many Vietnam veterans endured when they returned home.

Ron “J.J” Graham, president of San Angelo’s Freedom Through Vigilance Association, said that although this is the last year of the official Vietnam War commemoration, they won’t stop recognizing veterans.

"We will continue to recognize veterans, but now it will encompass all veterans," said Graham, "We will not specify Vietnam veterans or whoever, they will still be recognized as we do our normal Veterans Day ceremonies here on the base and downtown. It will be all inclusive."

Congressman August Pfluger expressed reverence for veterans like those at the pinning ceremony.

"We’ve been in times of uncertainty, instability, and political divisiveness," said Rep. Pfluger, "But the service that you were willing to give our country. willing to sign up, not for glory, but to say, i’m going to defend that flag, i’m gonna defend the constitution.