Each time a veteran used to return home from the war in Vietnam, they would receive a very warm welcome. Well the situation was a little bit different for a veteran from Indiana. Last Sunday Navy Veteran Flonnie Dees who had served in the Vietnam War from 1968 to 1970 was at last given the welcome he rightfully deserved.
In a statement released by Mike Wells of Veterans Appreciated Inc, it stated that Dees had not received the proper welcome for the past 47 years and at last being given the proper welcome was a closure for both him and his family.
Riders from the American Legion Post 357 and NewsCenter 16's Jen Cardone came together to organize a surprise welcome to the special Vietnam vet. Wells excited about the whole surprise said that Dees will hear the welcoming bang before he can even see it and that the whole neighborhood was going to rumble. It was important that each veteran feels appreciated for their service, and they deserve to be thanked for what they did for their country.
Dees on the other hand was clueless about the Sunday surprise.
Dees had no idea this surprise was coming Sunday afternoon.
Michael Dees, who is Dees’ son said that he was grateful that at last his father was getting the recognition he deserved. The young Dees also said that many veterans from the Vietnam War did not receive the recognition they deserved when they returned home after the War. The surprise was just a simple way of saying thank you to his dada for his service in the army.
Flonnie Dees said that when they returned home, they received no recognition. But thanks to the Legion Riders that was no longer the case with Dees. All Legion riders gave Dees a hug and proper thank you. It was indeed a moving moment for the veteran. Dees was speechless for some time after he was gifted with certificate and flag for his service.
Dees was happy that at last he was able to get appreciation and recognition from the Legion Riders. The whole plan had been going on for 8 months.
Veterans Appreciated, Inc. organize several veteran honor ceremonies. It's a nonprofit affiliated with the American Legion Riders Post 357. Each honor costs around $200 and they carry out about half a dozen honors of veterans annually.
