Multiple events held to honor Vietnam Veterans in Westmoreland County

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Vietnam veterans were honored with multiple events in Westmoreland County.

Veterans and Gold Star Families were honored at the Smithton American Legion Park.

Retired Army Sgt. Major James Hill was the guest speaker who honored the men.

Hill joined the Marines when he was 17 year old and was sent to Vietnam when he was 18. He served two tours in the Vietnam War and was wounded. The wound led to an eight-year break in Hill’s career. Hill later joined the Army Reserves, where he served two tours in Iraq. His first tour in Iraq spanned between 2004 and 2005. His second tour was in 2008.

In 2022, he was asked to honor his fellow Vietnam veterans.

PHOTOS: Multiple events held to honor Vietnam Veterans in Westmoreland County

“I was asked to be the speaker and help present Vietnam pins. It’s a recognition program for Vietnam vets,” said Hill.

Not far away, the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall also made a stop in Westmoreland County.

The wall was on display at the Smithton Little League Field and contains a list of names of soldiers who died during the Vietnam War.

State Rep. Eric Davanzo said the goal of the wall was to bring the community out and remind people of what freedom costs.

Davanzo said over 58,000 names are on the traveling Vietnam wall.

A separate part of the display also featured names of people killed in the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, 2001.

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