There were tears and smiles, proud emotions displayed at the Manteno Veterans Home Saturday. Hundreds gathered to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

It was a long-awaited welcome home for many Vietnam-era veterans. They were joined by so, so many other veterans representing all branches of the military.

The Director of the national cemeteries in Illinois, Sean Baumgartner, an Air Force veteran and whose father was a Vietnam veteran, said Saturday’s event should have been done 50 years ago......

Baumgartner spoke of how important it is to keep the younger generations interested and involved so they never forget what freedom cost......

The ceremony included prayer, the POW/MIA ceremony (which everyone should one day see) and a song “58,000 Names on the Wall.”

94.1 WGFA