By Maddie Monroe
In a moving tribute to courage, sacrifice, and long-overdue recognition, the recent Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans event in Muskegon brought together veterans, families, and community members for a day of remembrance and gratitude.
The event is hosted each year by Chaplain Wes & Lil Spike, alongside Harbor Hospice and the Muskegon County Department of Veterans Affairs. The gathering creates space for veterans to come together in a relaxed setting to reflect on their service.
“For many of our Vietnam veterans, the homecoming they experienced was not a good one,” Lil Spike said. “So we wanted to be able to bring them here and thank them for their service and give them a better homecoming.”
This was the 8th annual Welcome Home event that Wes and Lil have hosted, and both say it’s a way for them to make sure veterans in Muskegon County feel seen and heard, and are provided with the resources they need.
“When you look around the room at the veterans we have here with us today, many of them chose to serve their county, they weren’t drafted,” Lil Spike said. “I think that speaks to the dedication many have to our country, so what a great way to thank them .”
At Harbor Hospice, we recognize that honoring veterans is an important commitment. Many of the individuals we serve have dedicated their lives to protecting our freedoms, and it is our privilege to support them with dignity and compassion at every stage of life.
Events like Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans align closely with our mission. Through our Veteran-to-Veteran volunteer program and specialized care initiatives, we strive to ensure that no veteran feels forgotten. These connections remind us of the importance of acknowledgment, storytelling, and human connection.