Tom Jones and Jesse Burton were talking about the Vietnam Veteran’s Welcome Home Celebration set for Saturday and found out they were once stationed in the same spot.
“Yeah, I was at An Hoa,” said Burton.
“Really, I was too,” said Jones.
Burton was there in 1967 and Jones in 1968.
Jones reeled off the numbers of several hills he “walked around” during his tour. Burton said he carried a rifle, too. They didn’t go into details. But these two Marines, who had lived in Clarksdale for years, had made a connection.
Jones and Burton hope to make that connection with others this weekend as Clarksdale VFW posts host a “Welcome Home” at 10 a.m. Saturday for all veterans, but specifically those who served in Vietnam, at Memorial Park across the street from Save-A-Lot.
“We all came home quietly,” said Jones. “I was proud of my service. I’ve just never talked a lot about it. Most Vietnam veterans don’t.”
Burton said he had people make remarks about his service when he came home.
“I know several people who were spit on,” said Burton. “It was the 1960s and there were all kinds of disturbances going on – the civil rights movement, poverty and the hippie movement. We just sort of moved on to something else.”
Burton said Saturday’s program will be simple and not last more than an hour.
He said Vietnam veterans need to come and see they are never alone.
“I can’t even tell you how many Vietnam vets there are in Clarksdale,” said Burton. “This town is full of veterans. I’m sure they can find a connection, too.”
There will be a prayer, a pledge, the reading of proclamations by the City of Clarksdale and Coahoma County and State Senator Robert Jackson and State Representative Orlando Paden will speak briefly.
“We will read the names of those who died in that war,” said Burton.
Jones pointed out he joined up after his doctor asked him if he was going to college.
“I told him no,” said Jones. “He said ‘You’re too healthy to stay in Clarksdale and the draft board has a quota to make.’ I went and signed up.”
Burton said his unit has links to the movie “Full Metal Jacket.”
“I was First Marine Division and saw a lot of things,” said Burton. “Most people today don’t have any idea about that war. That’s sad.”
Burton pointed out a Veteran’s Benefits Team meets at 10 a.m. every Thursday at the Clarksdale Auditorium with the goal of helping veterans, their spouses or their children.
“I urge all people to come up here (to the park) on Saturday,” said Burton. “They’ll see someone they know. There will be people up there who care and who can help them.”
The following is a list of citizens of Coahoma County who gave their lives for their country during Vietnam:
• Luzon Beasley
• Charles Brown
• Maurice H. Bryant
• Henry Clay Cauthen, Sr.
• Lester Erby
• Charlie Gause
• Willie R. Hornburger
• Charles E. Melton
• Edward G. Muse
• Harvey T. Ross, Jr.
• Hollis C. Sanford, Jr.
• Danny P. Steadman, Jr.
• Van S. Turner, Jr.
• Winston C. Walker
• Billie Joe Wilson
• Robert Jenkins
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