In the News

JACKSON, MI – Instead of being honored for their service, people welcomed Vietnam War veterans home after the war by spitting at them and calling them "baby killers," said Bob Wilkinson, president of Jackson's Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter No.109.

More than 40 years after the end of that war, many Veterans veterans received that "thank you" Thursday morning at the Jackson County Fair.

In addition to the display of the Michigan Vietnam Veteran Traveling Memorial, the veterans were presented a pin by U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg, R-7th District.

HILLSDALE TOWNSHIP — On Thursday night, Congressman Tim Walberg (MI-07) hosted a Vietnam veteran lapel-pinning ceremony at the Hillsdale American Legion Post 53 in commemoration of the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War.

"On behalf of a grateful nation, I want to say thank you for your service, for your valor and for your sacrifice," Walberg said. "When your nation called, you came."

Around 50 veterans from Hillsdale and Branch Counties were honored in the ceremony Thursday night with several family members in attendance.

Ron Niemann was among thousands of Vietnam War veterans who returned from the war only to face scorn and criticism from many Americans.

"A lot of us were treated pretty badly," the 68-year-old Army veteran recalled Monday. "They called us baby killers. We were given the choice of wearing civilian clothes instead of our uniforms."

The Adrian woman recently elected commander of the Michigan Disabled American Veterans now is the Lenawee County Veteran of the Year.

Jo Linda Cutler was selected from six nominees for the annual honor, announced Wednesday at the Lenawee County Fair's veterans recognition ceremonies. Other contenders were Bob Knoblauch, Dave Laforest, Allen Kern, Tom Neill and Mike Posten.

Cutler, a 1979 Adrian High School graduate, served in the U.S. Army from 1979-96. She is the first woman from Lenawee County to hold the highest position in the state DAV.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg has been named to serve on a bipartisan conference committee charged with producing a final National Defense Authorization Act.

House Speaker Paul Ryan made the appointment.

Rep. Walberg, R-Tipton, said the law would fund the military, "give our troops a well-deserved pay raise and secure the homeland."

Maintaining a strong national defense is vital to keeping Americans safe from mounting security threats, Rep. Walberg said.

SALINE, MI — Approximately 20 Vietnam War veterans were honored in a special lapel pinning ceremony commemorating the 50th anniversary of the conflict on Thursday, July 21 at the Saline American Legion.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan's 7th congressional district called each veteran by name, presented them with a pin, and thanked them for their service, valor, and sacrifice.

Walberg feels that Vietnam veterans are due the warm welcome they never received when the war ended in in 1975.

U.S. Rep. Tim Walberg and state Sen. Dale Zorn will cohost a Vietnam veteran lapelpinning ceremony during the Monroe County Fair to commemorate the 50- year anniversary of the Vietnam War.