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COLUMBIA FALLS — Wreaths Across America will dedicate the Col. Roger Donlon Vietnam War Welcome Home’Room at its newly renovated History & Hospitably House, next door to the nonprofit’s national headquarters in Columbia Falls.
Donlon was the first American soldier to be awarded the Medal of Honor in Vietnam for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his own life above and beyond the call of duty, on July 6, 1964.
Donlon and his wife, Norma, have dedicated their lives to service of the country and the communities in which their family has been stationed throughout his 30-year military career, Wreaths Across America said in a news release.
“Norma and I are honored and proud to participate in the dedication of this special room,” Donlon said. “As a Vietnam era Gold Star wife, Norma is grateful to WAA for providing a place where families can gather when visiting to participate in the Remembrance Tree Program.
“As Blue Star parents of three sons who have served our country, we encourage others to visit WAA and enjoy the warm hospitality of the Worcester family and all those involved with the mission to remember, honor, teach,” he said.
The Vietnam War Welcome Home Room is the latest of the WAA History & Hospitality House room projects to be completed by WAA and is the largest room in the house, chosen because of the space it offers for local Vietnam veterans to gather and share stories with each other and the community.
WAA bought some land to secure a right-of-way and access to the Wreaths Across America headquarters, which is a building that was donated to the organization by the community, said said Karen Worcester, executive director WAA.
“This historic home built in 1820 was part of that purchase,” Worcester said. “We decided that it would make a great house for the many Gold and Blue Star families, and veterans that visit throughout the year. In keeping with our mission to Remember, Honor, and Teach, each room is being renovated and decorated to represent a period in United States history associated with a military conflict.”
The Donlon, of Kansas, have become involved in Wreaths Across America over the last several years. They first traveled to Maine in 2017 to help with the opening of the Vietnam Welcome Home exhibit at the National Wreaths Across America Museum.They also were honorary co-grand marshals for the annual escort to Arlington National Cemetery that year.
In 2018, they participated in the dedication of the Medal of Honor Remembrance Park, an eight-acre park located on the tip land where balsam is harvested to make veterans’ wreaths each year for placement on National Wreaths Across America Day.
“Not only is Roger an American hero, but he and Norma, are dear friends who have become part of the Wreaths Across America family,” said Worcester. “To have them be here together for this event, and give others the opportunity to learn from them as we have had the honor to do, is truly humbling.”
