By JESSA PEASE / Staff Writer

PELHAM— To honor the courage, valor and bravery of Vietnam veterans, and to provide the thanks they were never given, American Legion Matthew Blount Post 555 hosted the Vietnam 50th Anniversary Commemorative Ride Nov. 7.

“We just want to thank the veterans for their service and welcome them home,” said Tom McDaniel, public relations officer with Post 555. “This is an opportunity to thank the veterans who came home, thanks the families of those who didn’t come home and the families of those who did come home.”

To make the event possible, the Exchange Club of Shelby County, The David Lindsay Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the Alabama National Cemetery and the Heart of Dixie Harley-Davidson organized a series of honors and entertainment meant to thank the veterans.

It all started at the Alabama National Cemetery in Montevallo at 10 a.m. with a flag assembly. Dozens gathered for a 30-minute program, featuring musical tributes by Rob Robinson Jr. and The Averett Singers, a wreath laying ceremony and a speech by Chaplain Michael Raymo.

Led by the Post 555 Legion Riders, attendees either biked or drove to the Harley-Davidson guided by the Pelham, Calera and Montevallo police departments.

Once they reached their destination, more guests greeted the veterans by waving flags in the parking lot to welcome them to their celebration.

“I can’t say enough for the what the leadership has done for today at the National Cemetery as well as here,” said Post 555 Commander Barry Blount at the Harley-Davidson. “It was just an idea that they put together, but I can’t say enough to the rest of you, other than thank you, thank you, thank you.”

American Idol finalist Jessica Muese kicked off the ceremony with her rendition of “Travelin’ Soldier” and the national anthem. After the presentation of the official 50^th Vietnam anniversary flag, the Exchange Club of Shelby County made a special presentation.

President-elect Coni Fievet-Crawford told the audience that Exchange Club contacted all the schools in Shelby County to collect artwork to present to the veterans.

“We are very excited. We felt it was a wonderful program to bring the Vietnam War to light for these children, to make it more than something in a history book,” she said. “The vision that we had was to get all the Shelby County Schools involved with 150 to 200 pieces of art.”

She announced that Exchange Club received 409 pieces of art. With help from boy scouts and cub scouts, they gave a piece of artwork to every veteran, along with Vietnam 50th commemorative lapel pins, presidential proclamations and certificates of appreciation for their service provided by the Daughters of the American Revolution.

Gene Rowley, who served as the master of ceremonies, closed out the event.

“While no words will ever be truly worthy of their service nor any honor truly befitting of their sacrifice, let us remember that it is never too late to pay tribute to the men and women who answered the call of duty with courage and valor,” he said.