Tears were shed for Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day in Des Moines yesterday, as the 867th name was unveiled on the monument honoring Iowa’s war dead. Rick Fredericksen reports.
It took six years before Douglas Peterson died of his combat injuries. His mother wept, his father sat peacefully; the family had driven in from Fairfield for the emotional ceremony. Sister Karen said Doug’s name is where it belongs, with his brothers.
“It’s been a long time. It's closure. It's done. We're proud of him.”
Peterson, and more than 100,000 other Iowans, served in the Vietnam War. Rick Fredericksen, Iowa Public Radio News.