This was written by my daughter Colette McGill in 1987 after the Chicago WELCOME HOME PARADE for Vietnam Veterans.

     It would be an honor for me to receive this scholarship from the Vietnam Veterans Organization. For many years now my dad has been very   active in the Vietnam Veterans Community. As a young teen I really didn't always understand why he was so involved. I just knew he wasn't home that much and I missed him. It was really at the Chicago Welcome Home Parade that I began to understand his reasons for being so involved. He was Program Chairman for that parade. I'll never forget that day, we marched and then stood on the reviewing stand watching as thousands and thousands of Vets marched by and the City of Chicago at last welcomed them home. I guess as I stood there I began to realize that for many of the vets the war was not really over, and for them, at least some, that day was the start of letting go. When I think about it now, a lot of Vietnam Veterans were my age when they were in that war. How sad. I'll never forget seeing all those veterans marching, crying, hugging and being honored. I was so proud of my dad that day because I knew he had helped bring it all about. I believe I feel that somehow receiving this scholarship would in fact be an honor to my dad. Welcome Home Roger!

 

                                                                             Colette McGill

                                                                             Chicago, Illinois