Veterans honored at Truman Library

Vietnam War veterans received special honors Sunday in a pre-Veterans Day event at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum in Independence.

“One of the most painful chapters of our history was Vietnam, especially how troops were treated when they came home,” said Linda Dimon, regent of the Independence Pioneers Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. “In the words of our president, you were often blamed for a war you didn’t start when you should have been commended for serving our country.”

The fourth annual Ike Skelton Veterans Day Ceremony was co-presented by the museum, the Truman Library Institute, the city of Independence and the local DAR. Admission to the library was free, and events went on throughout the afternoon.

Dimon urged veterans of all wars to record their histories for future generations.

“Thank you for serving, thank you for risking your lives for democracy and thank you for continuing to make America better,” she said.

Independence Mayor Pro Tem Chris Whiting read a proclamation on behalf of the city before a crowd of about 100 people gathered at the front portico of the museum.

“Generations of servicemen and women have taken up arms to win our independence, preserve our union and secure our freedom,” Whiting said, “and these heroes have put their lives on the line so that we may live in a world that is safer, freer and more just. And we owe them a profound debt of gratitude.”

The ceremony was capped with a flyover.

More than half of the 55 area veterans taking an Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday served in the Vietnam War.

There will also be Veterans Day activities Tuesday and Wednesday at the National World War I Museum and Memorial.

This story was originally published November 8, 2015 at 3:19 PM with the headline "Veterans honored at Truman Library."