Skip to main content

Jackson Cit Pat: Vietnam veteran remembers cold homecoming, savors appreciation ceremony

May 30, 2017

JACKSON, MI - Monday was the first time John Clemons fully felt the gratitude he deserves for serving his country -- more than two decades after being discharged.

Clemons, a pastor at the Lane Memorial CME Church in Jackson, received a commemorative pin and a "thank you," from U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg in a Memorial Day ceremony at South Jackson Community Church.

Clemons' military career began with the U.S. Army in 1971. He was later inducted into the U.S. Army Recruiter Hall of Fame.

He reflected Monday on the cold homecoming many Vietnam servicemen experienced upon returning.

"It was a time when America itself was in turmoil," he said.

"We didn't receive a welcome home reception. We had to fight a war over there, then we came back home and fought another one over here with all the riots and things like that. We're finally being recognized for something after coming through an era when we weren't recognized. Even (those who served in) the Korean War got a better reception than we did. But we just got thrown back into society."

Walberg passed out pins to six Vietnam War veterans from the Jackson area Monday. It was the first time South Jackson Community Church held the pinning event.

The church's pastor Steve Brown, along with Clemons and fellow Vietnam veteran and Grass Lake-area pastor Dennis Slattery, added a blessing with holy water to the ceremony.

Walberg said he can always feel the emotion in a veteran when he shakes their hand, looks them in the eyes and thanks them for their service on behalf of the U.S. government.

"The hundreds (of pins) I've given out, I can't tell you the number (of veterans) who I see tears well up in their eyes," he said.

"When I say 'on behalf of a grateful nation, I want to thank you,' I see their lips and chins start to quiver, their eyes start to cloud up. You know it means something to them. They love this country. They serve this country. That's all they asked for. To finally hear someone from their government, doesn't have to be me, to say thank you, it's a special time."

The South Jackson Community Church announced a new, permanent service time dedicated to military men and women and their families. The first service is scheduled for Sunday, June 4 at 5 p.m.

The purpose of the services is to offer veterans and active military men and women a welcoming and understanding atmosphere to worship, according to Brown.

This article originally appeared in the May 29 edition of the Jackson Citizen Patriot.