CROWN POINT | It has been almost 34 years since the end of the Vietnam War, but it's not too late to tell those who fought "welcome home."

That's the idea behind a ceremony at 7 p.m. Monday at the American Legion Post 20, 1401 N. Main St., that will honor veterans long after they returned home.

Chuck Faurot, the post's judge advocate, said the ceremony was organized in part to have representatives from the state's General Assembly read a proclamation that made March 30 Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day. Faurot said invitations were sent to all the local American Legion posts, and all Vietnam veterans are welcome.

"I'm as pleased as punch," Faurot, who served in the U.S. Navy in Vietnam, said about the proclamation. "We were not welcomed back with open arms. We were spit on and cursed at."

Along with state Sen. Sue Landske, R-Cedar Lake, state Rep. Ed Soliday, R-Valparaiso, also a veteran of the Vietnam War, will read the proclamation. Soliday said he hopes the ceremony will bring some closure to men who fought hard and paid significant prices with their mental and physical health.

Soliday, who was a U.S. Army attack helicopter pilot during the war, said he thinks the country has learned from Vietnam how not to treat returning soldiers.

Since the proclamation first was made, he's presented it to various groups and has seen some reaction from veterans.

"It's not hugely emotional, but it's expressions of 'thank you.' We're glad somebody finally said 'welcome home.' "