CHARLESTON, W.Va. — James Wall, a retired Marine Corps Combat Engineer from Alum Creek says he has Post Traumatic Stress Disorder from his service in Vietnam.
He told MetroNews on Monday during the 78th annual Veteran’s Day Parade in Charleston that serving in Vietnam was not easy and coming home added to the stress because many were not welcome.
Wall, who participated in the parade with the Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 37 in Charleston, said Monday’s event with thousands lining the street and thanking them kind of felt redeeming.
“We didn’t solve a lot of stuff in Vietnam,” Wall said. “People didn’t like when we came back. There’s nothing that you can do about it, they called us all kinds of names and we didn’t have any parades when we got back. This is sort of a redeeming quality that is being bestowed upon us.”
The chapter, which helps raise money for veterans in the Kanawha Valley, was well-represented in the parade including by one of the most decorated veterans in West Virginia. Kenneth Rubin from St. Albans, a retired Army Lieutenant Colonel who is a Distinguished Service Cross recipient, led the group.
Rubin started his service as a private in 1961. He flew gunships in Vietnam in 1967 before his last assignment at the NATO office in Belgium. Rubin retired from the military in 1982 and received many honors in the following years.
He told MetroNews that receiving all the military honors was humbling but that’s not why he did it.
“Somebody recognized what we did as being important and deserving but we were all just trying to do our jobs there,” Rubin said.
“The awards weren’t as important as my service which I enjoyed for the over 20 years.”
Following the parade was a formal ceremony at Haddad Riverfront Park that featured speakers such as Charleston Mayor Amy Shuler Goodwin, U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito, Dennis Davis from the WV Veterans Affairs, and Mr. Tazwell Saunders, a 102-year-old veteran of World War II.
Patriotic music was performed by The Appalachian Children’s Chorus, under the direction of Selina Midkiff and the George Washington HS Band, directed by Mark Hardman.
Jaxon Payne, 9, of Elkview stayed for it all during the picture perfect morning and says he was proud to wave the flag on Monday for all the veterans, including family members.
“I thank the veterans that protected our country.”