Poinsett County Democrat Tribune: Local News: Veterans return to "hometown" for a visit

A large group of veterans enjoyed visiting their "hometown" Saturday.
(Democrat Tribune photo / Josh Martin)

When Barbara and Danny Adams first planned to bring the Vietnam Wall that Heals to Marked Tree last September, they never dreamed it would become a place of healing for a group of veterans holding a reunion in Memphis. And, the certainly never dreamed it would become a yearly event.

Last fall, over 250 Vietnam veterans from Charlie and Echo Company, which consists of Vietnam veterans from the the BN 5th Cav, 1st Calvary Division, visited the wall along the banks of the St. Francis River. They took part in a special candlelight vigil and laid a wreath featuring their symbol at the wall. In a touching measure, they planted a tree to leave a lasting mark. Dirt from the Republic of Vietnam was mixed in with the tree as it was planted.

Perhaps what the veterans remembered the most was a homecoming celebration like they had never experienced.

When the men and their families reached Tyronza in their trip from Memphis on school buses, they were greeted by elementary school children on the overpass who were waving flags and holding signs that said "Welcome Home." The grand finale was their arrival in Marked Tree when they drove right into a homecoming parade where they were honored as the grand marshals.

"There wasn't a dry eye on the bus," said Rosemary Nichols, one of the bus drivers who chauffeured the veterans. "They were overwhelmed by the outpouring from the town."

"When these men came back from Vietnam, they didn't get a welcome," Danny Adams said. "They got sneered at, spit on and cussed at. We decided we were going to give them the type of welcome they deserved but never got."

It was a welcome the men and their families never forgot. For weeks after the event, letters continue to pour in thanking Marked Tree citizens for their generous outpouring of love and support. The veterans adopted Barbara as their "Mom," and continued to keep in touch with her over the months.

It was in a casual conversation that someone suggested a "picnic" in Marked Tree during the Jubilee.

"I told them we wouldn't have the wall, but they were all welcome to come get together with us anyway," Barbara Adams said. "What started off as almost a joke about a picnic turned into an awesome weekend."

Adams was thrilled to welcome the veterans to Marked Tree again this September. During their stay, the veterans visited the children of Tyronza Elementary School to thank them for their welcome home banner last fall. And they spent Saturday at the Jubilee visiting each other and their friends in Marked Tree, which they all now call their "home town."

"I did what my country asked me to do, and all I got for protecting my country was people calling me 'baby killer,'" said 1st Cav. SGT Paul D. Sicca. "Back then, they avoided me. I really didn't feel welcomed home."

Sicca said he was proud and honored to serve his country, something he did not for himself but to protect the freedom of others. But, nonetheless, it always hurt to feel the people of America had turned their backs on him and other veterans.

"But then we found a placed called Marked Tree," said Sicca. "There just aren't people like them out there everywhere in the world. It's God's special place."

Sicca was just one of many who shared their deep feelings about Marked Tree and its people.

Adams said there are plans to make the "picnic" an annual event.