Local Vietnam Veteran Honored During Game At USA Hockey Arena

USA Hockey has continued a grand tradition that began years ago at the former Compuware Arena.
Last week's Hometown Heroes event honored Vietnam Veteran Joe Tebor. Mr. Tebor is a member of the Plymouth-Canton Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 528.

Mr. Tebor, who attended the event with his wife Cindy, daughter Lora, and three grandsons, Keegan, Dalton, and Caden, was humbled, and honored to be recognized at this game.

Mr. Tebor graduated from Western Michigan University, and went through the ROTC Program. He began his military career as a Second Lieutenant out of Western Michigan. He did his tour in Vietnam from May 1972-March 1973 as an Army Intelligence Officer, assigned to the 244th PSYOP Detachment, 7th PSYOP Group.

After Mr. Tebor's tour in Vietnam, he ended back in Okinawa, Japan, still working with Army Intelligence. After the war ended, Mr. Tebor was attached to the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, in Germany.

He has also served in a plethora of jobs, and locations for the military throughout his 21 year career. Mr. Tebor recalled to me that his most rewarding assignments were his first, in Vietnam, and his last, which happened during the first Gulf War.

During the first Gulf War, in 1990 & 1991, he served as Chief of the US Army Missile Command Technical Support Office, at the Raytheon Company Andover Plant. At this plant, they produced guidance systems for the Patriot and Hawk Missile Systems.

Joe Tebor retired from the Army in 1991 with the rank of Major, and earned the following awards:

The Bronze Star

Meritorious Service Medal

Defense Meritorious Medal

Army Commendation Medal
(10 Oak Leaf Cluster)

Army Achievement Medal

Army Service Ribbon

Armed Forces Reserve Medal

Overseas Service Ribbon
(4)

National Defense Medal

Vietnam Service Medal

Vietnam Campaign Medal

Republic of Vietnam Cross
of Gallantry W/Palm

Korean Defense Service
Medal

Meritorious Unit Citation

Parachute Badge

Certified Military Club
Executive

Since retirement, Mr. Tebor has served our community as well. Among the many things that
Mr. Tebor has done, and some he continues to do are:

Working on the committees that brought the Vietnam Moving Wall two times to the City of Westland.

He has been a member of the Wayne-Westland Veteran's Parade Council since 2004.

He has been the Plymouth VFW Blood Drive Coordinator since 2004, conducting 6 blood drives a year at the Plymouth VFW Post 6695.

He continues to volunteer his time in many ways throughout the community, including VFW Poppy sales, Fish Fry, Joy Road Clean-up, Fall Festivals, and speaking to kids in schools, among many other activities. He is currently serving on the VVA 528 Board of Directors, and is a lifetime member of both the VFW Post 6695, and VVA 528.

My wife and I had the honor of being invited by Mr. Tebor to this event at USA Hockey, and we both felt privileged to be included in honoring Mr. Tebor for his many contributions both to our nation, and our local community.

On a personal note, I would like to thank Mr. Tebor for the many fascinating personal stories he took the time to share with me about his time in the military. I consider it a privilege to be able to share a small part of his story.

Thank You for your service Mr. Tebor, and welcome home...