Mia Overton
editor@thefranklinpress.com
Fifty-one years ago the last U.S. service members left South Vietnam and the last Prisoners of War were released, including two Macon County men who had been held in captivity for nearly seven years years.
March 29 is recognized at Vietnam Veterans Day – a time to remember the courage and sacrifice of the men and women who served during the war which ran from Nov. 1, 1955, to April 30, 1975. The war created division here at home as many opposed the United States’ involvement in the conflict. Service members were advised not to travel in their uniforms when on leave. Those returning home from war were not given a hero’s welcome – some were ridiculed, spit on and threatened. They also did not always receive the care they needed to deal with the psychological trauma that still impacts many veterans more than 50 years later.
“Any war we get into, we should be careful – it takes a toll on our people,” said Jim Dodd, who serves as first vice president of the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 994. “It’s really important that we remember the history.”
At age 73, Dodd says he is one of the youngest members of the VVA Chapter 994. He served 22 years in the U.S. Air Force, and says he is a Vietnam-era veteran, as he joined in January 1974, and did not see combat duty in Vietnam.
The chapter includes Vietnam veterans from Macon, Jackson and Swain counties. Dodd says their membership number continues to dwindle as veterans die or reach an age that they cannot be as active as they once were. But, the group remains committed to making sure veterans find the help and camaraderie they need.
They have installed ramps at homes, grab bars in showers and bathrooms, and they have wheelchairs and walkers available for veterans. After Hurricane Helene they delivered food to people who needed it.
“We do a lot of good things. Just about anyone who needs help, if he comes to our meeting and he has a problem, we will help him out with money or food or whatever,” said Charles Williams, who is the chapter’s treasurer.
“It’s a really good bunch of guys that went to Vietnam and were able to come home. A lot of them were injured over there, I was injured also, but not as bad as some of these guys,” Williams continued. “It’s just a good overall group who do good things for a lot of people.”
Williams also served with the Air Force and was in Vietnam in 1964 and 1965. He said his time in the military changed his life and created new career opportunities for him.
He was assigned to be a camera repairman and also documenting combat in Vietnam as a cameraman. “Which is something I had no idea I wanted to do,” he said.
After he got out of the service he went into the film business in Miami, Florida, landing work on the “Miami Vice” television show, producing coaches’ film for the Miami Dolphins, and commercials for Carnival cruise lines.
“It was very interesting,” he said. “The military gave me a whole different change of life, which I enjoyed.”
Chapter 994
The local chapter is named Firebase Henry in honor of Staff Sgt. Nathan B. Henry of Franklin who was held captive during the Vietnam War from July 12, 1967, to March 5, 1973. Henry passed away in 2016. The bridge over the bypass in Franklin is named in his honor.
Col. Tom McNish was another Macon County soldier held as a POW for 2,373 days. A section of the Wayah Road near McNish’s home was named in his honor. McNish passed away in 2024.
Dodd said the chapter guides veterans in making sure they get the benefits they are eligible for. He is appreciative of the assistance veterans get from the Macon County Veterans Affairs office. “They do a wonderful job,” he said. “We have been well taken care of and have a lot to be thankful for.”
Chapter 994 also offers scholarships for dependents of Vietnam veterans. Information is available from the high school guidance counselors.
Meetings
The chapter has just over 200 members in Macon, Swain and Jackson counties. The lifetime membership fee is $50 includes membership in the national and local organization. Membership is open to veterans who served active duty in Vietnam between Nov. 1, 1955, and May 7, 1975, or in any duty location between Aug. 5, 1964, and May 7, 1975.
The chapter office, located at 249 Sloan Road, is open weekdays from 9 a.m. to noon. Dodd invites Vietnam veterans to “come in and have a cup of coffee.”
The chapter meets at 6 p.m. the second Thursday of each month at the Macon County Fairgrounds. For information, call 828-369-7890.