CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day and veterans commemorated the Vietnam era in ceremonies at the Jesse Brown Veteran Affairs Medical Center.
John Schwan, the chairman of CTI Industries, was the keynote speaker and spent 13 months in Vietnam.
He wants people to know a few things about Vietnam veterans.
"First off, we loved our country and still do," Schwan said. "Secondly, we served willingly. Most of us were volunteers, unlike the crap they say. We were not dragged, kicking and screaming."
And, that he thinks things are better than they used to be at the VA.
"How we were treated after Vietnam was terrible... And wars aren't political. They're personal," he said.
Croft came back to Chicago and started a family. Now, at 73 years old, he has children and grandchildren.
"I'm thankful to almighty God, who made this possible," he said. "I couldn't ask for nothing else."