Fargo brothers who served in Vietnam War waited 60 years for welcome home

WASHINGTON (KVRR) – Veterans and volunteers join together for the latest Honor Flight to the nation’s capitol.

Many in the group served in Vietnam.

The group took off Sunday morning from Hector International Airport and will be gone for two nights.

It was an early rainy start of the first day of the honor flight, but these veterans were ready to haul through their day.

“Most of the folks here were our comrades. And you know we gave our all. It just was unfortunate when we came back to the country we got booed and hissed”

Both Gary and Harry Speidel are brothers who served in Vietnam in the US Army. Years apart from one another and miles away during their service, both say those days they don’t regret serving, but wish that they were given the same honor as their other comrades in battle.

“Been waiting sixty years for this, is a welcome home. Looking forward to that. That’s what hurts the most, we never were welcomed back.”

For Gary, it took an improv event to open up about what happened during his service so many years ago. And Harry shares that he is thankful for being able to vent his story out.

“We were darn if we do and darn if we don’t you know. This I didn’t want us to do it, you know it was our job.”
“We were not the good guys in that conflict. It just is disappointing, but I am very proud of what I did and what I’ve accomplished, very proud.”

As the trip continues, these veterans are reminded of their bad and good days. But also the honor of being recognized as part of this Honor Flight.

We’ll continue to have more coverage on this latest Honor Flight right here on KVRR.