CLARKSVILLE, TN − The American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289 of Clarksville held a “Welcome Home” ceremony on July 30, inside the Cohen Center on Weatherly Drive. The event, attended by approximately 30 Vietnam combat veterans, offered a moment of recognition and appreciation for their service during the Vietnam War.
Each Vietnam veteran was presented with an American Legion Certificate of Honor and a Vietnam Veterans Pin thank you for your service. The pins were donated by the Fort Campbell Post Main Exchange.
Post 289’s former Commander Marc Mathes read the city proclamation given by Mayor Joe Pitts. In his address, Pitts acknowledged the strength and resilience of those who served in Vietnam, noting that their contributions to the nation’s history had often been overlooked and underappreciated. “Today, we right that wrong,” he stated.
The event guest of honor was Air Force Vietnam War combat and Post 289 member Bob Sisson. Now 84, Bob saw combat in 1968 and 1969, when his unit, the 820th ‘Red Horse” squadron, was attacked during the Battle of Da Nang. This battle lasted five days during the Tet Offensive of 1969.
Post 289 2nd Vice Commander Ernest Schmidt thanked the veterans who attended. “We will never forget the sacrifices you made, and today we stand united in honoring you,” Schmidt said. “This ceremony is not just a recognition of the past; it is a promise that we will continue to support and uplift our veterans for generations to come.”
For more information on how you can support local veterans, contact the American Legion CSM Gary W. Crisp Post 289. The website is https://www.altnpost289.org/.
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