On Nov. 11, the Ashland University College Republicans and the In a Soldier’s Shoes Foundation welcomed a speaker for Veterans Day.
At 6 p.m. the Upper Chapel was filled with people from the community and students gathered to celebrate those who were in or were a part of the military.
AU’s President, Jon Parrish Peede, said, “We are celebrating those who are on our campus and our reserves. We are celebrating our military connected students, alumni and faculty…”
Greg Gorrell is a Vietnam veteran and an Ashland alumnus. His book, “Vietnam Survival: There and Home” is about his perspective of the war and what happened to him.
The book is about his story.
“I’m 80 years old so the meter is running so I won’t be here forever. And my girls said, ‘we’d like to know the rest of the story’ … this is the rest of the story,” said Gorrell.
Gorrell explained there was a time where he never talked about being a Veteran and that he threw everything about Vietnam away except a cardboard box with illegible combinations and sixth and 16th bullets.
He thought throwing the items away would help him move on from what happened faster, but in the end, it never left him.
His book is meant to be a way to help other Veterans tell their stories and to help others understand why Vietnam veterans do not always want to talk about their stories.
“The average age of a Vietnam veteran is in the mid 70s, I am 80, The Vietnam veterans are dying, and we are dying a rate of 400 per day,” said Gorrell.
Gorrell read four letters sent to him by those who have read his book. They thanked him for sharing his story and allowing them to have a better understanding of what happened in Vietnan.
“Take great advantage, take every opportunity again for yourself and for your future and for your future kids and for the hell of this country,” said Gorrell.
It’s about understanding history and taking the time to understand other veteran’s stories. Vietnam veterans never got the chance to be walked home. It is about getting a second chance.
Co-Founder of In a Soldier’s Shoes Foundation, Kayin McDonald, said “Because Veterans Day isn’t just about recognition; it’s about religion, it’s about remembering that behind every uniform is a person, a son, a dog, a neighbor, a classmate … they carried responsibility, fear, hope and the weight of the nation’s trust.”
