WHITEWRIGHT (WBAP/KLIF) – A black Vietnam veteran from North Texas is asking for a public apology from the ‘Veterans of Foreign Wars.’
Joe Orr told WBAP/KLIF that he was denied service at VFW posts in Colorado and North Texas when he returned home from war in the late 1960’s. After learning his story from the WBAP/KLIF news team, the VFW apologized to Orr by sending him a letter and a medallion.
The organization released a statement:
Since 1899, the VFW has existed to serve ALL veterans. The way we are structured, each Post governs itself and is liable for its own actions. I assure you that any instance of local discrimination throughout our 119-year history is not in keeping with the organization’s values. We value the service of every veteran who has put it all on the line for America.
Orr said Thursday after receiving the letter and medallion that a personal apology isn’t enough. He said the VFW should publicly apologize in order for veterans and current soldiers to be aware of what happened to him.
“The soldiers need to know what soldiers were doing to each other,” Orr said.
Orr appreciated the gesture from the VFW but doesn’t believe a personal letter accomplishes much.
“I would like to see it in the VFW Magazine and the VVA Magazine,” Orr said.
Orr lives on a ranch with family members and his horses in Whitewright, Texas north of Sherman and said he is haunted by the discrimination he experienced in the late 1960’s.
WBAP has reached out to the VFW with Orr’s request. The organization hasn’t said if they plan to publish an apology.
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