Vietnam veteran hat sparks love story

Wearing your military service on a hat, a t-shirt, or a tattoo is an honor, a display of pride. It also gives strangers a window of opportunity. And this couple you're about to meet credits a Vietnam veteran hat for sparking their love story at a Sam's Club gas station. That was in basic training. Freddie Smith has always been a carefree kind of guy. What was 18-year-old Freddie thinking then? Well, I was happy at that point. Even today, sitting next to his new bride, Army veteran Kathy Clark, laughter fills their Sun City home. That's one of the things I love about him. He was crying at the wedding. She wiping my tears at the wedding. I said, I'm supposed to be wiping her tears. The two met pumping gas at Sam's Club. Freddie was wearing this hat. She saw the cap, so she started a conversation. And that was in January of 25. And we were married in July. Their service brought them together. You know, military, we just find connections. The experience shaping who they'd become. I don't fear anything. I can do it. Freddie, a proud veteran of the 25th Infantry Division, known as Tropic Lightning, he overcame fear out of necessity. What happened once we shipped out and went to Vietnam, Now that beach landing... That was a different animal. He was just a kid, thrown into battle. I had an M60 machine gun, I had an M14 rifle, and my duffel bag, and I'm in combat boots on the beach running, and we could hear gunfire off in the jungle. That was frightening. Freddie drove a deuce and a half, transporting soldiers to and from enemy lines. So we hauled the troops out and drop them off. After the fight, we go back and get what's left, bring them back. What was that like? It was rough. Kathy was stationed at Fort Ord in California. But we were out in the field, on field duty. Back then, the only military women allowed to serve in Vietnam were nurses and medical personnel. Everything I endured, it helped to shape me. It was by chance they found out about the Honor Flight and signed up. This is a milestone trip for the Honor Flight of West Central Florida. This marks the 4000th veteran to come here to D. C. And see these war memorials. Many of these veterans have been waiting on the list for more than a year to come here today. It's a surreal experience for Kathy and Freddie as they take in the war memorials, alongside 70 other Bay Area veterans. I am doing everything I can not to be teary, but this is just epic. It means so much to be able to see it for real, and I'm so honored right now. No. The enormity of the Vietnam Wall will steal your breath. So much harder than I thought it would be. Freddie found the name of a good friend. What is it like seeing his name on the wall? Very emotional. Decades of feelings spilling out in waves. But I'm feeling a difference now that people really do care, which is encouraging and uplifting. The honor flight was unexpected, but exactly what they needed. Fifty years after answering their country's call, Freddie and Kathy return to a thunderous crowd, finally receiving the hero's welcome, healing a lifetime of quiet wounds. Well, those smiles really say it all. And we talk about how veterans continue to serve even after they come home. Well, 10 years ago, Kathy went back as a civilian as Dr. Kathy Clark with a doctorate in human sexuality, helping survivors of sexual harassment. She now has her own private practice. And after 30 years of driving for FedEx, always a driver, Freddie now delivers prescription meds. to the elderly. And as we were sitting there interviewing them in their home, he was actually getting phone calls from people who needed their prescriptions. And he goes and he picks them up and brings them to him. How precious are they? Just still serving, right? And they met at a gas pump? They met at a Sam's Club. That's hilarious. Kathy said, you know, you served in Vietnam. And this sparked conversation. They kind of felt a connection. So they pulled away from the gas pumps and met in the parking lot and chatted. Pull over. Pull over. Let's change our digits. I love that. Isn't that amazing? That's fantastic. They're so cute. So adorable. But also, you know, they reiterated how important it is to just spread the message of the Honor Flight. And I know the Honor Flight folks want to make sure that people know they exist because they're always looking for volunteers. And you know, on that flight home, when they get those amazing letters, the handwritten letters from school children and organizations, they're always looking for people to... Write those letters. Present those letters. And that's often their favorite part of the trip. Oh, my word, yes. Yeah. It's amazing. It's how important they are. Yeah. Well, to show them the respect that they deserve. Yeah.