By DAVE DOMESCIK | Staff Writer

MONTEVALLO – In a year that marks 50 years since the conclusion of the Vietnam War, the Alabama National Cemetery celebrated and honored the veterans who served in a war that exacted an enormous human cost.

The cemetery celebrated National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Saturday, March 29 beginning at 10 a.m. The ceremony sought to remember and honor the thousands of veterans, both living and deceased, that served in the conflict.

Along with remembering veterans, the ceremony also included the dedication of a new monument on the cemetery’s Memorial Pathway commemorating the Rescue at Dog’s Head.

On March 26, 1970, Alpha Troop, 1st Sqaadro, 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, paired with Alpha Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry, rescued more than 80 fellow soldiers who were surrounded by North Vietnamese troops in dense jungle near the Cambodian border. Nearly 40 years later, soldiers of this heroic rescue were recognized with a Presidential Unit Citation.

The event began with a processional ride by the American Legion and Patriot Guard Riders, followed by a flyover from the Patriot Flyers in Vietnam-era aircraft, adding a nostalgic touch to the event.

Prestley Skelton, the winner of the American Legion’s 21st District Oratorical Contest, was the master of ceremonies at the event. Skelton is also the granddaughter of James W. Snow Jr., a Vietnam War veteran.

Madison Smith, a voice major at the University of Montevallo, performed a Vietnam-era musical tribute. The ceremony also had a memorial wreath laying, a playing of taps and a moment of silence.

The ceremony comes from the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, signed into law by President Donald Trump. The act designated March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which the Alabama National Cemetery has held for the last seven years, excluding 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Eldon Woodie, a member of the Support Committee for the Alabama National Cemetery and a veteran of the Air Force, outlined the importance of the event.

“My dad served three tours, and all four of my uncles served in Vietnam,” Woodie said. “Their welcome home was not the greatest… We always have to support our warriors, we want them to feel welcome and appreciated.”

Woodie also shared that the Alabama National Cemetery, and Shelby County as a whole, has a rich history of celebrating American heroes.

“This area is very patriotic,” Woodie said. “We have a tradition of showing our honor, dignity and respect for our veterans… and this is just one more part of that.”

Woodie believes the event overall was a success.

“The event went really well,” Woodie said. “We had a little weather that we were concerned with, but it held off. We had right around 200 folks come out.”

While the event was focused on previous generations who courageously served, Woodie was also impressed with the youth participation in the event.

“We really try to get youth involved with all of our ceremonies,” Woodie said. “Anybody who bad mouths the youth of America just doesn’t know them. They’re great people, and they just want the same things that we all do.”