SECTION, Ala. – On Sunday, Bethany Missionary Baptist Church became the gathering place for a moving tribute to eleven local Vietnam veterans. The ceremony, organized by Army veteran and former operating‑room nurse Myra Williams, presented each veteran with a handcrafted Quilt of Valor, a symbol of the nation’s gratitude for their service.
Veterans recall duty and faith
Among those honored was Larry Massey, who spent two years clearing mines in Vietnam. “We didn’t shirk our duties. We did what we were supposed to do,” Massey said, adding that his faith in God and Jesus Christ kept him safe. “Every time I approached a mine, I knew that without God and Jesus with me, that thing could blow me up. But they didn’t.”
Massey explained that many aspects of the Vietnam experience remain misunderstood by the public. “There’s a lot of things that happened to the vets over there that people don’t realize,” he said, emphasizing the need for continued recognition of their sacrifices.
Community effort behind the tribute
Williams, who served in Vietnam from March 1970 to March 1971, was inspired to act after receiving a Quilt of Valor herself. She reached out to former classmates, eventually assembling twelve veterans and honoring eleven at the ceremony. Williams also shared personal family history, noting an uncle who died at 19 in the Korean War and another who completed two tours in Vietnam, underscoring the deep roots of service in Section families.
“My dad’s youngest brother was 19 and died in the Korean War. I’m sure he never got any recognition for that,” Williams said. “He was from right here, Section, Alabama, too.”
Faith, family and community unite
The event drew veterans, their families, and community members, reinforcing the town’s tradition of supporting those who answered the call to serve. Attendees described the ceremony as a long‑awaited affirmation of respect and gratitude. “It makes me feel warm. It’s been a long time coming. We feel like we’ve been ignored for a long time,” Massey reflected.
Beyond the quilts, the gathering highlighted the role of local churches in preserving heritage and fostering unity. By honoring these veterans in a faith‑centered setting, the community affirmed the shared values of service, sacrifice, and reliance on divine guidance that have long defined Section.
Looking ahead
Williams hopes the Quilt of Valor ceremony will become an annual tradition, ensuring that future generations understand the sacrifices made by their elders. “We want to keep telling their stories, so the younger folks know what these men and women went through,” she said.
The ceremony stands as a testament to Section’s commitment to honoring its veterans, reinforcing the town’s enduring bond between faith, family and patriotic service.
Original reporting: WAFF 48 Huntsville (news) — read the source article.
