“They came home feeling hurt; hopefully this will take some of the hurt away,” Norm Kegelmyer said.

Kegelmyer serves as adjutant of the Sons of the American Legion at the Joe Williams American Legion Post 131 in Leetonia, which hosted the commemoration, along with members of the Mahoning Chapter of the Daughters of the American Legion who oversaw the pinning ceremony.

“We’re very passionate about our veterans and their service to our country. It’s important to us. We are so appreciative and thankful for their service,” Mahoning Chapter DAR Regent Kim Bland said.

The pinning ceremony was part of the United States of America Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration that was launched by President Barack Obama on Memorial Day 2012 and continuing through Veterans Day 2025 to partner with local governments, private organizations and communities for ceremonies recognizing Vietnam War veterans.

The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin honors living United States veterans who served active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces any time and anywhere from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

In his proclamation, he described the commemoration as a “13-year program to honor and give thanks to a generation of proud Americans who saw our country through one of the most challenging missions we have ever faced. While no words will ever be fully worthy of their service, nor any honor truly befitting their sacrifice, let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor.”

On one side of the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin, there’s an eagle head representing courage, honor and dedicated service to the nation, the blue circle matches the canton of the American flag and represents vigilance, perseverance and justice, the laurel wreath stands for victory, integrity and strength, the stripes behind the eagle represent the American flag, and the six stars represent the six allies who served, sacrificed and fought along one another, including United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, Republic of Korea and Thailand. Embossed on the back is the message “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You,” meant to be close to the wearer’s heart.

The pin honors living United States veterans who served active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces any time and anywhere from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

During the local ceremony, the following veterans were pinned with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin: Heidi Knopp, Salem, U.S. Army; Tim Bradford, Salem, U.S. Army; Wes Crothers, Lisbon, U.S. Army; Jim Ammon, Chardon, U.S. Army; Brian Stewart, Leetonia, U.S. Air Force; Ray Heddleson, Leetonia, U.S. Navy; Bill Heston, Salem, U.S. Navy; Bill Grimm, Leetonia, U.S. Army;

Bill Billet, Leetonia, U.S. Air Force; Tim Carroll, Leetonia, U.S. Navy Seabees; Roy Pariso, Columbiana, U.S. Army; and Allen Dickens, East Palestine, U.S. Air Force.

U.S. Air Force Vietnam veteran Allen Dickens of East Palestine smiles as Mahoning Chapter Daughters of the American Revolution member Rebecca Fife pins him with the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin during a Vietnam War commemoration pinning ceremony at the Joe Williams American Legion Post 131 in Leetonia Sunday. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

“It’s nice to be recognized for service in Vietnam,” Bill Heston said.

The U.S. Navy veteran was in Vietnam in 1967 and has continued his public service as a Salem Township trustee, as has his fellow trustee and Vietnam veteran Ray Heddleson, who served in the U.S. Navy.

Bill Grimm served in Vietnam in 1970 and 1971 with the U.S. Army. When asked what he thought about the honor, he said “I think it’s nice.

His wife, Bonnie, past president of the American Legion Post 131 Ladies Auxiliary, created a Vietnam War display using information memorabilia about the war and memorabilia from American Legion members, including her husband’s combat boots, dog tags and hat.

The memorabilia from the members who were there in Vietnam — she said “that’s the part that is most important to me. I thank God for their safe return.”

Tammy Vadino, left, and Helena Vadino visit the Vietnam War remembrance display at Leetonia American Legion Post 131. Tammy is the daughter and Helena the granddaughter of Vietnam veteran Tim Carroll who received the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin during a ceremony Sunday. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

Those who didn’t come home were honored also with items in the display. There’s a framed rubbing from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. of the name Daniel S. Ferry, the Leetonia native son and U.S. Army PFC who was killed in action on Sept. 3, 1966. A framed photograph shows the gravestone for Congressional Medal of Honor recipient U.S. Marine PFC Ralph E. Dias, who’s buried at Oakdale Cemetery outside Leetonia. He was killed on Nov. 12, 1969.

Bonnie Grimm shared her thoughts about the Vietnam veterans finally getting their due.

“It’s about time. The political chaos at the time was so devastating to the men who were fighting. They weren’t given the respect or support when they came back,” she said.

Her T-shirt clearly displayed her love for her husband. It read: Vietnam Veterans Wife, Most people never meet their heroes, I married mine.

Also assisting the DAR members in the pinning ceremony was John Wilson, commander of Leetonia American Legion Post 131.

Vietnam veteran Tim Carroll, U.S. Navy Seabees, of Leetonia accepts congratulations from Della Evans, a member of the Mahoning Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, during a pinning ceremony at American Legion Post 131 in Leetonia for Vietnam veterans. (Photo by Mary Ann Greier)

“I love it. This is what this club is about, recognizing our veterans. We still have a lot of Vietnam veterans with us. They’re still vital to us and we try to be vital to them,” Wilson said.

Danny Fire, commander of the Sons of the American Legion at the Joe Williams American Legion Post 131 in Leetonia, served as master of ceremonies.

“I think it’s great. Long overdue to honor these guys, what a more fitting tribute than on the 50th anniversary,” he said.

Bland had been contacted by Kegelmyer about doing an event in Leetonia and Kegelmyer approached the membership with the idea. This was the first such event in Leetonia. Efforts are being made statewide and nationwide to pin as many Vietnam veterans as possible.

In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was passed, designating March 29 as National Vietnam Veterans Day.

To learn more about the Vietnam War commemoration, visit the website at vietnamwar50th.com.