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Family, friends and elected officials honored past sacrifices and today's struggles of local veterans during a commemoration service held Tuesday at the Glenarden American Legion Post 275.

Veterans who served in conflicts such as World War II, the Korean War and Vietnam War received recognition from John McGee, the post commander and a Vietnam War veteran, and from other legion officials who came to reflect and socialize with fellow legion members, friends and relatives.

"We believe our determination made us better warriors because we fought with our mind, our hearts as well as our own bodies," McGee said.

Guest speaker Rep. Donna F. Edwards (D-Dist. 4) of Fort Washington said politicians give a lot of "lip service" to making sure the country's veterans are taken care of, but none of it is followed up with action. Edwards said the care of the country's veterans should be among top priorities of the U.S. government. Edwards said her father served in the U.S. Air Force, in addition to her brother. Edwards' grandfather served in the U.S. Navy.

"When you've been asked to step up, our obligation is to step up for you," Edwards said.

Veteran Johnny Evans, 65, of Clinton and originally from Greensboro, N.C., said because he is black he could not eat in certain restaurants in 1966 and rode in the back of the bus after his first Army tour in the Vietnam War ended that same year. He returned to Vietnam in 1967 and came back to Greensboro in 1968 to see the racial climate improve slightly, where he only received "funny looks" while eating out.

Deciding there were better opportunities up north, Evans moved to Washington, D.C., and took his first job as a mechanic in the District's sanitation department. Evans retired as the associate director of Washington's Department of Employment Services.

Evans, a former county and Glenarden post commander, said he gets medical care at the Washington D.C. Veterans Affairs Medical Center, and local veterans are blessed because of their proximity to D.C.

However, back in his hometown, Evans said veterans have to drive more than 50 miles to get treatment at the closest VA facility in Durham, N.C., and across the nation veterans might have to travel longer distances to receive treatment.

"People have to drive half a day to get treatment," Evans said. "It's horrible."

Evans, who gets treatment for post traumatic stress disorder, will eventually seek treatment for his exposure to Agent Orange, a gas that was sprayed during the Vietnam War to kill vegetation and clear landing zones for helicopters touching down in Vietnam jungles. Evans said the gas could harm his nervous system.

Evans added it is difficult for many veterans to get a job or reconnect with family members because of the effects of PTSD.

"Very seldom do you find a soldier who goes through training and goes through war who is the same when he comes back," Evans said.

McGee, an Army veteran, said the worst part of serving was being away from family. Serving one tour in the Vietnam War in 1972, McGee, 73, of Glenarden teared up remembering a lieutenant who was killed just after his wife gave birth to the couple's son. He also recalled the backlash from anti-war supporters who called him a "murderer" and "baby killer."

Despite some unfavorable memories, McGee said he enjoyed serving his country and has spent the past 20 years with post members visiting veterans and informing them of available benefits such as getting prescriptions filled at the D.C. VA Medical Center.

McGee also found one of his greatest joys working 19 years as the ROTC instructor at Capitol Heights' Fairmont Heights High School. He retired in 2006. McGee saw many students go on to serve in the Army, Navy and Air Force Academy.

Whenever military recruiters visited the high school, McGee pulled students aside, making sure they knew what they were getting into.

"Once you raise your right hand, you're saying you're prepared to give your life for your country," he said Tuesday.

E-mail Natalie McGill at nmcgill@gazette.net.