Horace Frazier found himself wiping away tears Saturday night when he and dozens of other Vietnam veterans received a formal “welcome home” at Weber’s Inn.

The ceremony, attended by about 205 people, was arranged by the Erwin Prieskorn American Legion Post 46 of Ann Arbor as a way of honoring men and women of Washtenaw County who served in the long, unpopular war and returned to face many difficulties.

Dale Burgess, standing, chats with Washington Ross, left, and Dennis Mill, members of the Detroit chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen, during Saturday's salute to Vietnam veterans. Ronald Ahrens | For AnnArbor.com

Frazier, senior vice president of VFW Post 423, said he was “really touched” by the evening’s speeches. He was particularly affected by the keynote address from William Henderson of Ypsilanti, a retired commander of the Michigan Air National Guard who flew 125 missions during the war.

When Henderson included some audience participation - asking people to share the names of the operations they participated in and the places of battle - Frazier thought about mentioning the valuable field training given in his United States Army artillery unit by Kentucky national guardsmen. That company ultimately sustained heavy losses.

“I wanted to get up, but I chickened out,” said the Ypsilanti resident, who drives a bus for the Ann Arbor Public Schools.

Part of the observance was Kenneth Rogge’s poignant reading of the names of all 77 service members from Washtenaw County who died in the war.

Rogge, vice president of Vietnam Veterans Post 310, also read a proclamation from Gov. Jennifer Granholm, declaring March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in Michigan.

Michael Malley, judge advocate of Post 46, followed by reading a letter from Lodi Township resident Bob Lutz. The vice chairman of General Motors, a former pilot in the United States Marine Corps, wrote that he regretted being unable to attend, but saluted those who returned from the war and mourned those who did not.

Several blue-jacketed members of the Detroit chapter of the Tuskegee Airmen turned out to honor the Vietnam veterans.

William Henderson delivered the Saturday 'welcome home' banquet's keynote address.

Henderson, a graduate of Pioneer High School and Eastern Michigan University, spoke of the war being fought “in a time of extremes.” While some soldiers willingly served, many others didn't want to go to Southeast Asia and fight.

No soldier was adequately prepared, he said. In his own case, despite extensive training as a pilot, “You weren’t doing this stuff at night or in the mountains.” And there was no enemy fire on practice missions.

Henderson recalled lying awake before his sorties, replaying accounts of the ordeals of pilots who had been shot down but were later rescued. The confusion and terror of combat affected everyone, he said.

“All of us, you and me, through skill, through luck and God’s grace, survived,” he said.

One Army veteran listening to Henderson was attending this type of event for the first time. John Isaia was drafted at the age of 24, three years after opening a television sales and service business in Southfield. 

He served two years in the quartermaster corps in Germany. After returning to Michigan, Isaia said he helped his brother, Tom, along with another partner in founding Ann Arbor’s signature music club, the Blind Pig.

Although he had never participated in activities with veterans’ groups, Isaia, who is now 68 and lives near Brighton, said Henderson’s speech inspired him to become a lifetime member of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

“There were a couple of parts where I had goose pimples,” he said. “I’m more proud now than ever. I’ll tell you, it was excellent.”

Ronald Ahrens is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.