[yukong]

One of the highlights to the evening was Boyd Barkley, past commander of the Military Order of the Purple Heart for Oklahoma. Boyd is a veteran of Viet Nam. In fact, Boyd lost part of his arm and his hand in Viet Nam. He told the crowd he had something he needed to say, (about half way through his prepared speech). He then threw away his prepared comments, and he said that when he got back from Viet Nam, minus his hand and part of his arm, that the reception he got was cursing, name calling, being spat upon, called a baby killer, and had blood thrown on him. He was at that point teary eyed. The crowd was silent. You could hear a pin drop. He then said, that this evening, he finally felt what he longed to feel so many years ago. A lot of us were in tears. He was so emotional. At that point, 6000 strong began chanting, "Thank you, thank you, thank you" for several moments. He then called up all the Purple heart vets, and those vets that as he said didn't ear the purple heart "because they were smart enough to duck". And dozens of men took the stage, and again, we chanted, Thank you, thank you, thank you. Man, was that fantastic or what. So inspiring.

[GailA]

GOD BLESS OUR TROOPS!

[2Jedismom]

Incredible story! Please be sure and ping me when you get the pictures posted...

[TEXOKIE]

A humble teary-eyed bump to your post 19.