Waco Veterans Day parade brings veterans and families together

WACO, Texas (KWTX) - For Vietnam veteran George Cleveland, the Veterans Day parade is a chance to see a different reception from the one he says he received when he returned from war.

Cleveland served eight years in the Army, including a year in Vietnam. He attended the parade with his son, Bellmead Mayor James Cleveland, who said his father has become more comfortable talking about his service over the years.

“For a long time, I wouldn’t tell anybody,” George Cleveland said. “But now, I’m more proud of it.”

A different welcome

George Cleveland, who grew up in Waco, said he has attended the parade for about four or five years and has enjoyed seeing how the reception for veterans has changed.

“When I came back, we got bombarded with tomatoes,” he said, describing the treatment he received upon his return from Vietnam. “We were hated. Nobody liked us.”

He said that experience made it difficult to talk about his service for years. His son said that, when he was growing up, his father rarely spoke about the military.

“Honestly, growing up, he didn’t really talk about the military,” James Cleveland said. “It wasn’t something that, in his eyes, was something to be proud of.”

James Cleveland said events like the parade and recognition of Vietnam veterans have helped his father begin to speak more openly about where he served and what he did.

“It’s been great. It’s been amazing, you know, to see the transformation from, you know, not wanting to talk about stuff, you know, that happened when he was in the service, or being in the service for that matter,” he said.

George Cleveland said he eventually shared his experiences with his family when they were old enough to hear them.

“I didn’t keep it from them,” he said. “They got old enough I told them. Where I was at, what I did. So, they know.”

A son’s pride

James Cleveland said his father’s determination has been an inspiration to him. He said George, who uses oxygen, continues to push forward and credits some of that determination to his time in the military.

“He’s always been strong-minded, strong-willed, and he doesn’t know the meaning of a quit,” James Cleveland said.

James Cleveland said he hopes younger people will take opportunities to speak with veterans and learn about their experiences.

“I’m 100% proud of him,” he said of his father. “I believe, you know, everybody will say that, but I believe I’m one of the luckiest people in the world to have him.”

George Cleveland said Waco remains home, even after time away.

“No matter how many times I leave, I always come home,” he said. “And this is home.”

A veteran shares his connection to Kevlar

Richard Stevens, another veteran at the event, said he served from 1966 to 1972 and was drafted shortly after turning 19. In Oklahoma City, he said, he worked with recruiters and later helped officers swear in soldiers and obtain orders.

Stevens said military service runs in his family. His father served in World War II, two brothers served in the military and his niece spent 24 years in the Air Force.

“We like the military,” he said.

Stevens said he worked for DuPont for 35 1/2 years and helped make Kevlar, a material he said has saved lives. He brought a piece with him to show others.

“I cut pieces off and give it to some of the military that’s been overseas,” he said. “This shows them the real thing.”

Stevens said events that bring veterans together are helpful and that he believes it is important to keep sharing their stories.

Remembering those who did not return

For George Cleveland, Veterans Day is also a time to remember those who did not make it home from Vietnam.

“Do I think I’m special? No. The special ones, they didn’t come home,” he said. “And that bothers me. 58,000 is a lot of people that didn’t come back. And this is what it’s all about. It’s them.”