Summerfest honors Vietnam Veterans on historic anniversary

The Fourth of July celebrations at the Moody County Museums annual Summerfest couldnt have gone more smoothly. A warm, sunny day was complemented by a gentle summer breeze, and while the heat was felt, the museum grounds offered plenty of shade thanks to the trees, with tents providing additional cover for those seeking refuge from the sun.
Between the food vendors and artisans dotting the landscape, musicians played throughout the day, people enjoyed historical tours across the museum grounds, families played on the playground, friends sat together in lawn chairs beneath shade trees, and city band members prepared for a hot afternoon summer 4th of July concert under a newly painted and updated band shell.
A key moment of the celebration came during the lunch hour, when a ceremony was held to honor Vietnam Veterans for the first time, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the last plane leaving Saigon.
Bill Ellingson, who led the ceremony, began by providing some context about this group of service members. He shared a quote from President Obama at a previous national ceremony honoring Vietnam Veterans:
When you came home, many of you put your medals away, tucked them in a drawer, or in a box in the closet. You went on with your lives. Started families. And pursued careers. A lot of you didnt talk too much about your service. As a consequence, this nation has not always fully appreciated that chapter of your lives. You did your job. You served with honor. You made us proud. You came home and you helped build the America that we love and that we cherish.
Ellingson then added his own remarks, emphasizing the significance of telling the stories of those who served. The MC Historical Society also feels there is a story to be told, and to be documented, of men and women of Moody Co. who served during the Vietnam War era.
He reflected on a book he helped write and publish, chronicling the service of local veterans. One name etched into the Wall in Washington is particularly personal to the community Allen D. Christensen. Ellingson explained that it was decided to tell Allens story in the booklet, alongside brief summaries of other local men and women who served during the Vietnam War.
Daryl Christensen, Allens brother, expressed gratitude for the communitys outpouring of support, acknowledging that it serves as a reminder that their service and his brother have not been forgotten.
You kind of think that everybody has forgotten, but they havent, Daryl said.
It takes something like this to bring it back out again though. I appreciate every bit of it, my family does, we all do.
Dennis Brinson, a Trent resident who grew up in Sioux City, shared his personal experience from his time in the service. He recalled joining the military at 17 and leaving at just under 21 as an aviation electronic technician, flying supplies into Vietnam during the war, and serving on an aircraft carrier.
Before the ceremony, Brinson didnt know any of the other men who attended. He spoke about the difficult homecoming many veterans faced after their service: When we came home we werent very popular, some people spit on us, called us names, and that was far from the truth.