Tom Schmitz of Oneida served in Vietnam, 1970-1971. On March 26, 1971 his firebase on the Laotian border was overrun, resulting in 33 KIA and 77 wounded. Tom’s many awards include 2 Bronze Stars. Below is a portion of a letter he wrote after flying on Mission 24. Thank you for your service Tom.
“IT WAS A GENUINE “THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE,” NOT JUST IN WORDS, BUT IN PRESENCE AND IN ACTIONS…AND FOR WE VIETNAM VETERANS, IT WAS A LONG-AWAITED AND FOR ME, A PROFOUNDLY NEEDED AND LONGED-FOR, COMMUNITY-BASED “WELCOME HOME!” FINALLY, THANK GOD! A KAIROS HEALING MOMENT OF GRACE.
GONE WERE THE DECADES OF FELT ANIMOSITY, NO MORE SHAMING, BLAMING OR SCAPEGOATING. JUST A HEARTFELT RE-UNION. A ONENESS. A DEEP, RESONANT AND HEALING WELCOME HOME! AT MANY POINTS MANY OF US, VETERANS AND GUARDIANS ALIKE, WERE BROUGHT TO TEARS OF GRATITUDE, DEEPLY TOUCHED BY THE SHEER LOVING AND DIVERSE PRESENCE OF SO MANY OF OUR FELLOW AMERICANS AND CENTRAL NEW YORKERS. AND WE WEPT! IT FELT TO ME LIKE THE VERDICT IN OUR CASE HAD BEEN REVERSED ON APPEAL…”