BELLA VISTA — Well, it's happened again. I have been placed in a group of very select people, although I do not belong there. I have not earned the right to call myself a member.

Once again, I have been told I qualify as a Vietnam veteran because I served honorably during that war, even though I never stepped foot in the country.

I traveled to Gravette a week ago Tuesday to renew the registrations on my cars. Knowing that veterans were authorized a discount of up to $24 on a car registration, I took my DD-214 discharge paper.

I showed the paper to the woman at the desk, and she said I did indeed qualify for the lower rate. She then picked up a new license plate that stated "Vietnam Veteran" on the bottom of it.

I asked if I could just keep the plate I have and get the lower rate.

No, she said. It was the new plate or nothing.

I didn't even have to think about it. I declined the discount.

I told her I cannot bring myself to claim that I am something I am not, especially when so many people gave their lives in that war.

I proudly consider myself a Vietnam-era vet, but nothing more.

She then told me something that made me feel good. She said I wasn't the only one who felt that way.

I was so glad to know that others believe theway I do, that while they are proud of their service to their country, they cannot accept being called something they are not.

While at the DMV, I had a few spare minutes as I waited for my insurance carrier to send a fax verifying I had a current policy on my wife's car. Seems there was some sort of mix-up in the state's system.

Given those few minutes, I began to think.

Why is there no plate for the Vietnam-era veteran? Is there any reason there can't be? I couldn't see any reason there should not be.

Wanting answers to those questions, I contacted Arkansas Sen. Kim Hendren and Rep. Donna Hutchinson.

I have asked both to look into the possibility of an additional plate, one that would be issued to qualified Vietnam-era vets.

Weekly Vista Office Manager Barb Paulos offered an even more generic idea. Why not just have "Veteran" or "Veteran (branch of service)" plates for those who don't fit any other specific mold?

I'm game for that idea as well.

I am extremely proud of my military service, as I know others are. We don't want to make a huge deal out of this, but a little recognition for our sacrifice isn't too much to ask.

I urge all Vietnam-era vets to call Hendren and Hutchinson, or your respective senator and representative, and ask them to look into it as well.

◊Kim Hendren (R), District 9, 1501 Highway 72 Southeast, Gravette, AR 72756; (479) 787-6500 (business); (501) 682-2902 (Senate in session); e-mail hendrenk@arkleg.state.ar.us.

◊Donna Hutchinson (R), District 98; 24 Rallington Drive, Bella Vista, AR 72714; (479) 876-6011; hutchinsond@arkleg.state.ar.us.

I think we have earned a little break on our license plates, don't you?

As for the discounted registration, I don't know if all veterans qualify or not. I can only suggest you take a copy of your DD-214 the next time you go and have them check it.

* * *

Grant is the managing editor of The Weekly Vista. He has two decades in journalism, having worked in Virginia, North Carolina and Florida.

Opinion, Pages 6, 7 on 10/07/2009

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