COURTLAND
The Southampton County Historical Society will host a panel discussion at the administration building in Courtland at 3 p.m. Sunday to honor local Vietnam veterans.

Seven Vietnam veterans from Western Tidewater will discuss their time in Vietnam, representing the Army, Navy and Air Force. The Marine representative will not be able to attend due to unforeseen circumstances.

“When the Vietnam War ended, our [veterans] were not welcomed with open arms,” said Lynda Updike on behalf of the Historical Society.

“There were no ticker-tape parades. It was like we were ashamed of them because we didn’t support the war…. One of our speakers was advised to not wear his uniform when he came back because he would be treated badly at home. Isn’t that pathetic?”

Updike said that the Historical Society was taking this opportunity to say, “Thank you for your service 50 years later.”

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the beginning of the Vietnam War.