News : Vietnam vet Geiger organizes \'Welcome Home\' events Wednesday

Iowa WWII vets visit Vietnam Memorial in 2010; local events will honor Vietnam vets Wednesday.

Ron Geiger was in Vietnam in April of 1971, when his military commanders told him he had to hurry home. His father had died.

Geiger arrived at the Seattle-Tacoma Airport, wearing his jungle fatigues.

A man with long hair and an angry look saw the soldier in his uniform and headed toward him. The conversation that followed is too vulgar to repeat in its entirety here.

"That man spit in my face and called me a baby-killer," recalled Geiger.

Geiger, of Vinton shard those memories on Monday morning, as he worked to organize the "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans" parade and ceremony which take place this Wednesday, March 30.

Geiger said that after that airport encounter, he just put his hands in his pockets and walked away, although it is not what he felt like doing. He returned to Vietnam a couple weeks after burying his father.

Geiger and his fellow veterans at the Vinton VFW Post 8884 and the AMVETS Post 218 began organizing the events after hearing about the U.S. Senate Resolution declaring March 31 as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day." Soon Geiger has also invited the American Legion, Boy Scouts and others to join the parade and ceremony. The VSHS Marching Band will also join the parade, said Geiger.

The Senate passed the resolution March 7, giving organizers little time to plan events for March 30.

There will be a parade with the same route as the Lighted Holiday Veterans Parade. Participants should meet at the corner of Second Avenue and West 6th Street at 6:30 p.m. Wednesday. The parade begins at 7 p.m., followed by a ceremony on the south lawn of the courthouse.

American Legion Iowa Department Commander Jerry Sebben plans to attend the event, said Legion member Monte Railsback of Shellsburg. Railsback served two terms in Vietnam, but said he did not experience any of the personal attacks suffered by Geiger and many other veterans of that war.

"I was there in 1962, as part of the "advisory council," said Railsback. "Few people at that time understood what Vietnam was." For that first tour, Railsback wore civilian clothes and needed a passport.

For his second tour five years later, Railsback wore the uniform of the U.S. Marines. One of the men his unit lost was the adopted son of actor Jimmy Stewart. Railsback later wrote to Stewart; he still has the letter of reply from the actor.

"Many people say Vietnam was a 'poor man's war,'" said Railsback. "But many others were there, too."

Stewart's letter to Railsback said that the death of his son was a loss, but not a tragedy, because he died while serving his country.

Scheduled speakers for the courthouse ceremony include Railsback and Vinton Mayor John Watson. Iowa Legion Commander Sebben may be asked to say a few words, as well.

The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Resolution

U.S. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) introduced the resolution in February; it passed in the Senate March 7.

One of the purposes for the resolution was inspired by experiences like Geiger's: "to demonstrate the resolve that never again shall the Nation disregard and denigrate a generation of veterans."

To see the complete Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans resolution, click HERE.