HORSEHEADS, NY (WENY) -- Vietnam-Era veterans from Chemung, Schuyler, and Steuben Counties were recognized at a pinning ceremony at Horseheads High School on Tuesday afternoon. The pinning ceremony was hosted by Congressman Nick Langworthy in partnership with the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

"The ceremony today was very impressive and it did go a little way to potentially healing some of those scars that were left for when most of these folks came home from overseas," said U.S. Air Force veteran, Donna Davis.

Of the many vets who were recognized, only a couple of them were women. Davis served in the Air Force from 1974 to 1978, and the Air Force Reserves from 1985 to 2001.

"I had the benefit when I went in, to be one of the first females when they opened up career fields. I was one of the first females Air Force-wide trained into aircraft maintenance. I took that into the reserves to become a flight engineer and also working in the Gulf War with that on C-5 transport aircraft. I’m also the daughter of an Air Force veteran as well so it's in my blood," said Davis.

Davis said the pinning ceremony recognized a "void that needed to be filled." She added, "Even as it's been 50 years or more, it makes a difference. It does recognize the service these people gave whether it was voluntary or involuntary. They served and they [went] through some horrendous circumstances."

Ford Owlett served in the Army from 1968 to 1970, after being drafted at 18. He said after basic training, he thought he would see the world, but eventually ended up in Vietnam.

"When I ended up in Vietnam, in [about] February 1969, I was a cook with an artillery unit. We got hit a number of times, lost good friends ... Not only does it honor the veterans of the era, but also when we came back we were not treated well. This was something forthcoming, ... and I'm greatly appreciative of [Congressman Langworthy for] taking the time out of his schedule to do this," said Owlett.

Owlett said he appreciated being recognized now, despite not feeling this way when he came home.

"Finally, we're getting the recognition ... Those heroes the ones we lost, they deserve it. ... It's definitely an honor ... [for people] to take time out of their schedules to recognize what we'd done for our country," said Owlett.