CUMMING — Forsyth County may continue growing, but those who attended the annual Veterans Day ceremony Wednesday in Cumming recognized what remains of the small town feel and their need to pass down those foundations and values to their children.

Values of respect and honor were established at the Veterans War Memorial, not far from the Cumming square, as officials marked the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

According to a proclamation from Georgia Gov. Nathan Deal that was read to veterans, their families and residents who filled the grass between the memorial and the Cumming Police headquarters, the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs estimates about 254,000 of the nation’s 7,391,000 Vietnam veterans live in Georgia.

“Although American involvement in the conflict of Vietnam spanned several decades and presidencies, the ground offensive officially began in March of 1965 with the deployment of 2,500 Marines,” the proclamation states. “Though long and controversial in nature, this war in many ways defined an entire generation of Americans.”

About 25 veterans received pins for their service in Vietnam.

“Under no conditions did soldiers ever lose a major conflict [in Vietnam],” said retired U.S. Army Colonel Ken Jackson. “The soldiers won the war, but the politicians gave it away.”

Jackson, a Cumming resident, gave a keynote speech at the ceremony, in which he summarized his 26 years of active military service that included 14 years of overseas duty and 12 months in South Vietnam in 1970.

After enlisting in 1968, he was stationed at Fort Campbell, Ky., and Fort Still, Okla., before being commissioned in the Corps of Engineers and graduating from the Engineer Topographic Officer School.

He served in seven foreign countries, including Germany, South America, the Sinai Peninsula and Afghanistan.

“You’d be surprised what a 500-pound bomb does to a four-wheel Jeep when it runs over it and it command detonates,” said Jackson of an incident that paralyzed him from the waist down.

He walked out of the hospital 10 days later to complete his stint in Vietnam.

Jackson, who actively supports the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9143 in Cumming, has been recognized with five awards of the Bronze Star — three for service and two for valor — along with two awards of the Army Meritorious Service Medal and the Army Commendation Medal — four for service and two for valor — among others.

He also performed service by delivering American flags to the families of fallen soldiers.

“Some of those experiences were the worst of my life,” he said, “but it taught me truly and sincerely what it meant to be a veteran.”

Though the morning marked special recognition for Vietnam veterans, Cumming Mayor H. Ford Gravitt said it was meant to “honor and celebrate all our men and women” for their efforts, without which “we would not be the land of the free.”

He said Americans should “remember how we came to live in this sweet land of liberty” and teach children about our veterans, leading by example to respect the significance of their sacrifice.

A performance of the “Armed Services Medley” from the Forsyth Central High School Flash of Crimson Band and of patriotic songs from the Forsyth Christian Home Educators brought generations together.

“We’ve been attending for a number of years. It’s very special,” said Joyce Hobby, whose husband, Ted served in the Army.

Her three grandchildren participate in the student singing program. Their mother, Linda Norris, said the family has been involved in the group for 16 years.

“It seems like the value of respect is not taught anymore. It needs to be,” Hobby said. “We need to get back to those values.”