By Alan Van Ormer
Tribune editor

Larry Jorgenson fought during the Vietnam Conflict and wanted to show his wife some things about the country and visit old places that ran through his mind. Along with his wife, Ada, and their friends, Charlie and Alice Ryan, of Trent, Jorgenson visited the country in February.
“Even two people I talked to and knew as enemies were friendly and had no animosity or hard feelings toward us,” Jorgenson said. “They felt like we did. We did what we had to do and they did what they had to do.”
Jorgenson will be showing a slide presentation of his visit during the Veterans Day Celebration at the St. Mary’s Hall at 7 p.m. today. The evening will also include a pork chop supper and some dinner time music, as well as patriotic songs.
Also on Wednesday, at Dell Rapids St. Mary, the school will hold a Veterans Day Celebration at 3 p.m. in the gym.
American Legion Post Commander Tom Reecy said the day is special because it honors all veterans and thanks them for their service. In particular, tonight’s celebration will be honoring World War II veterans.
“The numbers of World War II veterans is getting smaller,” Reecy said. “We feel strongly that everyone that serves needs a thank you.”
The ceremony begins with the firing squad presenting the colors, followed by a prayer, the singing of the Star Spangled Banner, the pledge of allegiance and the recognition of those considered POW/MIA.
Shane Skinner will be providing music throughout the dinner. In addition, there will be introduction of post officers and auxiliary officers, as well as awards being presented to those with continuous years of service. Those who are participating in the Honor Flight on Friday will also be honored.
Cost for the pork chop supper is $8. Those wishing to have the supper can contact Reecy at 428-3707 during the day or 428-3356 during the evening or can contact Jerome Posey at 428-3350.
Jorgenson’s slide presentation will include photos of the present countryside and what Vietnam looks like today.
Jorgenson, 67, was an armor officer. He served with the 1st Air Cavalry Division at Bien Hoa, 30 miles northwest of Saigon and also with the 3rd and 5th Cavalry Division at Dong Ha south of the DMZ line in northern South Vietnam.
As an officer, Jorgenson said his experience was much different than an enlisted man.
When he went back with his wife and friends for 13 days, the group traveled in 10 different areas of the country.
“We were concerned about facilities,” Jorgenson said. ‘They were much better than expected.”
The one downside was that there was no American food.
In the rural areas, the four found remnants of the war including sand bags and parts of mines, rockets and bomb craters from bombers dropping bombs.
“My experience going back was very positive,” he said.