For your service

It’s better late than never to honor someone so deserving.

On Thursday, Aug. 27, a special ceremony was held in Clarke County Courthouse for Ryan Stephenson for medals he earned while in service to the United States.

“Actually, I’m almost embarrassed,” Stephenson said with a laugh. “… I just did my job. If I got an award — fine. If I didn’t, I didn’t complain about it. It was just something I had to polish to put on my uniform.”

The room was packed with Stephenson’s family, members of the American Legion and staff from the courthouse. Congressman Dave Loebsack, D-Iowa, officiated the ceremony.

Service

Stephenson, 62, of Osceola, served four years in the Air Force from 1971-75. Then, he served 16 years in the Army and retired as Sgt. First Class.

Stephenson was 17 when he first joined the service. He wanted to originally join the Air Force Academy, but he couldn’t since he was colorblind.

He served in Thailand during the Vietnam War years. Later on in his career, he served in Europe, Alaska and Central America.

During the ceremony, Stephenson was given the Army Expert Badge and Rifle Bar, Army Driver and Mechanic Badges, Army Overseas Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon and Numeral 3, Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, Army Achievement Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, Army Commendation Medal and Oak Leaf Cluster, Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal and Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon.

With the Army Achievement Medal, Stephenson said he believes the award is for helping organize Missouri’s first Special Olympics in the early 1980s. He said he has a certificate at his house from Maria Shriver.

Vietnam War era

Loebsack said the ceremony was personal to him because of growing up in the Vietnam War era, and the people in his family who have served in the armed services.

As a Congressman, Loebsack has also served on the Armed Services Committee and visited troops all over the world.

“It’s just tremendous we’re able to get the medals that folks should’ve had a long time ago to recognize their service.” Loebsack said.

Since the Vietnam War was often viewed as an shameful war, Loebsack recalled how many veterans wanted to hide the fact they served in it.

“As a member of that Vietnam generation, I know all too well how lots of our Vietnam veterans were treated when they came back,” he said. “And, just because it was an unpopular war, as far as I’m concerned, that’s never been an excuse for the treatment that our veterans received.”

Agent Orange

In many ways, there are still battles concerning the Vietnam War that Stephenson is dealing with years later.

According to Stephenson, he is trying to prove through appropriate documentation that he served in Thailand.

Loebsack said a problem with the situation was the usage of Agent Orange in the Vietnam War. Agent Orange was a part of the United States’ herbicidal warfare program during that era. It has been shown to cause numerous types of cancer for people who came into contact with it.

“Ryan was in Thailand when much of that was being applied around the perimeter of areas where we had folks,” Loebsack said. “So, the documentation of that … your presence there and being exposed to AO, it’s been very difficult, to say the least. And, we’re doing what we can to make sure we can do that.”

Loebsack said it’s not the first time he’s heard about problems with documentation dealing with issues concerning Agent Orange.

Salute

Even with the heavy topics of the Vietnam War being discussed, the atmosphere in the room during the ceremony was light and filled with jokes and laughter.

At the end of the ceremony, Stephenson received a salute from the members of the American Legion in attendance.

“I’ve enjoyed this,” Stephenson said. “It’s been a long time coming.”