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Service Members Rally Around Veteran After Beating

(CBS) -- Decades after he returned from war, a Chicago-area Vietnam veteran is finally getting the recognition he deserves. But as CBS 2's Suzanne Le Mignot reports, it was a brutal beating that brought the veteran to the attention of many.

"I had no idea whatsoever," said Army veteran Richard Jones. "My wife kept the secret from me."

His wife Alice says it was "so difficult" to keep it a secret that Richard was receiving recognition for his service in Vietnam.

"All of a sudden people started just enveloping the place and I'm like, 'who are these people?' Richard said. "They're not trick or treating!"

Members of Operation Welcome You Home were at Jones' Palos Hills house not to take candy, but to give him something, that was more than forty years overdue.

"If we have to do it one veteran at a time, to give them the proper welcome home, we'll gladly do it," said Jonathan Cooper, U.S. Army and Marines.

Jones was a highly decorated drill sergeant E5 in the U.S. Army, serving for 33 months from 1967 to 1970. He was even awarded the Bronze Star. He says 40 years ago, he didn't get a welcome home like this.

"People were spitting on us and calling us baby killers," he said. "Like the old saying goes, hate the war, don't hate the soldier."

Operation Welcome You Home decided to honor Jones for his dedication to his country, after hearing about the brutal beating he endured at the hands of his neighbor. The disabled veteran and former Chicago police officer exchanged words with 21 year-old Michael Seno who was driving too fast in an area of the complex where children often play.

"I went to turn to walk away and that's when he blindsided me," Jones said. "All I was doing was trying to block his punches."

Jones says he suffered broken bones in his nose and his knee and hands were scraped up.

"The outpouring of support I have had from friends and neighbors and people that I don't even know," Jones said.

"It's a darn shame that it took this for him to get the recognition that was 45 years, overdue," said Sergio Correa Jr. of the U.S. Marine Corps League.

"It really makes my heart feel good," Jones said.

Jones has an order of protection against Seno who's been charged with misdemeanor battery. See-no is scheduled to appear in court November 16.

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