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'I represent the United States': Veterans in Tecumseh honored through music

The Tecumseh Center for the Arts held a free concert on Monday to honor veterans.

TECUMSEH, Mich. — A free Veterans Day concert honored dozens of veterans in Tecumseh through music. Each veteran had a unique story.

Army veteran Terry Harris recalled how he decided to join the service early after being drafted to serve in Vietnam.

"The minute I got my draft, I decided to join and try to get into the aviation program which probably saved my life to tell you the truth," Harris said.

Army veteran Gary Couture described the tough job he had in Vietnam.

"I was memorial activities sergeant, in charge of recovering and ID'ing the guys that were killed over there (in Vietnam) and starting their journey home," Couture said.

The concert was held by the Tecumseh Center for the Arts. The Dodsworth Saxhorn Band played patriotic songs throughout the night and the music told different stories of America.

 It's one of the many ways veterans were shown appreciation in southeast Michigan and northwest Ohio.

"It's very nice to feel honored and respected and it's great to be here tonight with a lot of friends," Couture said.

Couture and Harris both served in Vietnam. Harris said getting the appreciation now means a lot since he feels it wasn't given when he first came back.

"When you got back to your home airport, you wanted to take your uniform off because you were shunned," he said. "We were not given a good reception."

As veterans stood for the national anthem, some were remembering what they sacrificed for this country and those who made the ultimate sacrifice.

"I feel lucky, I feel almost apologetic," Harris said. "Because there's so many that didn't come home."

Army veteran Larry Alaniz, who served 13 months in Korea and also served in the U.S. said he wore his Army baseball cap and jacket proudly at the concert.

"I'm proud of what I did," Alaniz said. "I like for people to see I represent the United States. I feel like this is me."

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