Vietnam War veterans honored at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery
ELWOOD – Allen Lynch recalled the words of a president of their youth as he spoke to fellow Vietnam War veterans gathered Thursday at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery.
"If this country is going to last, it has to be service over self," Lynch said. "As John F. Kennedy said, 'Ask not what your country can do for you – ask what you can do for your country."
But it was common for Vietnam War veterans to find their service to country was not appreciated when they came back to the United States at a time when anti-war feelings were fierce.
Lynch was the keynote speaker during the ceremony that was part of the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration program, which was initiated in 2012 and continues until 2025. The program in some ways provides a belated welcome home to veterans who were not welcomed back when the returned from Vietnam.
"Across the nation, Americans are invited to thank Vietnam War veterans and their families for their service and their sacrifice," Quincy McCall, director of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery, said at the start of the service.
She then called on the non-veterans in the crowd of about 200 to shout out the words, "Thank you for your service and sacrifice and welcome home."
Lynch, a Medal of Honor recipient for his acts of bravery helping wounded comrades on the field of battle, was the keynote speaker at the ceremony attended by about 200 people. A Gurnee resident, Lynch now works as a veterans advocate.
Much of Lynch's speech was devoted to the cause of honoring veterans from every war.
"We are there for all veterans – not just our own," he said. "A lot of people have said we should be victims – that we should hang our heads. But we've never been good victims. We've always stood strong."
He talked about Vietnam War veterans leading the call for welcome-home parades after the first Gulf War, working to expand services for post-traumatic stress disorder, and striving to improve services at Veterans Affairs medical facilities.
"We have shown that we have given back to this country," Lynch said. "As a result, there are thousands and thousands of veterans who have benefited from our service – not just in the military but afterwards."
Vietnam War veterans interviewed before the ceremony said they appreciated the events held to honor their service.
"I think this is great," said Dale Eslinger of Minooka, who was a mechanic for the Army's 101st Airborne Division. "When I came back there were a lot of issues at the airport. Everybody's entitled to their own opinion. That's why it's called the land of the free. I have no issues with anyone who was protesting back then. That's the way things were. It's different now."
John Carroll traveled from Glenview to attend the ceremony.
Carroll was a crew member on a "Duster," a self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. He served in the last two years of the war, which ended in 1973.
"After 50 years, I'm starting to get used to it," Carroll said of his experience in Vietnam. Ceremonies like the one held Thursday are important to him, he said.
Alan Cave of Joliet served two tours in Vietnam in maintenance crews for the Army's 101st Airborne.
"I think veterans are getting more respect than they were getting before," Cave said.
"We got looked down at and weren't treated right," he said. "I took that in stride. If I had to do it all over, I'd do it again."