Northbrook Viet Nam Vet Co-Authors book about Vietnam Parade
New Book by Two Chicago Vietnam Vets Seeks to Gain Recognition for the Forgotten 1986 Welcome Home Veterans Parade and Those Who Made It Possible.
175,000 Vets Marched in the parade.
On June 13, 1986, some 175,000 Vietnam veterans marched in the "Welcome Home Veterans Parade" to support one another and to try and gain some recognition and honor for their service, which was largely ignored by most people, or worse, attacked for their sacrifices. With 175,00 veterans from around the world marching, it still stands as one of Chicago's largest parades, culminating three hours later in the Grant Park Band Shell.
Chicago Vietnam vets, Roger McGill (Chicago), and Harold Beyne (Northbrook), both were involved in the parade logistics and both marched. Today, like most Vietnam Veterans, they suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, and the then undiagnosed PTSD. This book, "The Day we Finally Came Back from Vietnam - the Untold Story of Chicago's Welcome Home Veterans Parade," is their effort to acknowledge the work and commitment in making the parade event happen and to bring recognition to their fellow vets.
The book quotes Tom Stack, who was instrumental in making the Parade a reality. He was a platoon leader and criminal justice teacher, who recalled being approached by dozens of vets who told him that "it (the parade) made them feel great for the first time in their life to be recognized for what they had done."
In the book's preface, they write: "Anyone who has known, loved, honored a Vietnam Veteran understands the pain experienced with their return from war. They were degraded, spat upon, sworn at, and physically abused. Many destroyed their uniforms in shame, others left the country; most refused to talk about the war, their experience, and their feelings."
The parade gave vets the opportunity to vent their feelings, which were bottled up since their rerun from Vietnam and to achieve recognition from the thousands of citizens who lined the streets of Chicago cheering for and celebrating their return.
The book also is part of a wider effort to continue to demand changes of the Veterans Administration and define processes that result in acknowledging the effects Agent Orange and their agents on Vietnam Veterans and their children.
The book available from Amazon: www.amazon.com/Day-Finally-Came-Back-Vietnam/dp/1667891596
Harold Beyne, Northbrook, served in the U.S. Army from March 13, 1968, until December 21, 1970. He served with the 101st Airborne Division where he was stationed at Bien Hoa, and then later transferred to Phu Bai, where he remained until leaving Vietnam.
Both are actively involved in VVA Chapter 242 which meets every Tuesday morning drawing in an average of 90 Vietnam Veterans per meeting."