Veterans Day ceremonies honor old soldiers, young recruits

Old soldiers and young recruits gathered in the shadow of Dallas City Hall on Monday to honor veterans of the Vietnam War and to memorialize those who never made it home. U.S. Rep. Sam Johnson of Plano was one of those who almost didn't make it out of Southeast Asia.

In West Dallas, about 75 people stood outside the Bataan Community Center for an afternoon of food, music and recognition.

"We want to thank you and continue to thank you," City Council member Monica Alonzo told the veterans standing and seated among the crowd.

Her brother, state Rep. Roberto Alonzo, and U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey reiterated the praise.

Alonzo later presented Henry Molina with a certificate for his two years of Korean War service.

"It's a great thing for all of the veterans," he said of the event sponsored by a budding association of neighborhood groups, West Dallas 1.