Billings – On Veterans Day, longtime Billings veteran Pete Herzog unveiled a series of sixteen large black‑and‑white portraits at 105 Coffee and Brewing in the Billings Heights. The photographs honor fellow Vietnam veterans who gather at the coffee shop every Tuesday for fellowship and support.
Honoring a close‑knit support group
Herzog, who served in the Army and deployed to Vietnam in 1967, said the project was a way to give back to the men and women who have helped him through the years. “I’m not gonna be around forever, and I wanted to do something to pay back these guys,” he explained.
The portraits feature veterans ranging from Army infantrymen to Navy air traffic controllers, each captured against a dark background that keeps the focus on the individual’s face and story. For many, seeing their own image on the wall was a surprise and a source of pride.
Stories of service and sacrifice
Connie Hatley, a Navy veteran who became the first woman in the service to qualify for carrier operations, reflected on the significance of the display. “It’s nice to be seen,” she said, noting that the recognition helps keep veterans’ stories from being forgotten.
Bob Crandall, a former Special Forces soldier, described the group as a lifeline. “You should ask my wife. She’ll tell you that it’s my support,” he said, adding that the camaraderie among the veterans is “invisible” yet vital.
Healing and mental‑health challenges
The weekly gatherings have become an important part of the veterans’ lives, offering a space to share experiences, discuss mental‑health struggles, and check on one another. Herzog disclosed that the group has faced loss, including suicides, and that he himself sought help after his wife urged him to get support.
“Up until 2012, I thought I was pretty normal, until my wife said, ‘You need to get some help,’” Herzog admitted. “After that, when I got the help, it opened just the way I saw things differently. I knew I wasn’t alone anymore.”
Reflections on the Vietnam war
While the veterans still cherish their bond, many have reevaluated their views on the war. Herzog now believes the conflict was a waste. “We shouldn’t have been there,” he said. “At the time, we did something for our country, but looking back 50‑some years later, we didn’t accomplish anything.”
Hatley echoed a shift in perspective, noting that war is deeply political. Yet she remains proud of her service, describing it as an adventure that shaped who she is today.
Community impact
The photo project not only honors the veterans but also serves as a reminder to younger generations of the human faces behind history. Herzog hopes the portraits will inspire respect for those who served and encourage continued support for Montana’s veteran community.
“We’re not a bunch of old guys or women. We were young like they were at one time,” Herzog said. “But this is what we do, or did. You know, we served our country.”
Original reporting: KTVQ Q2 Billings (local) — read the source article.
