Former military members honored around Detroit in Veterans Day ceremonies

On this Veteran's Day in Southfield seven decades after fighting in World War II, six metro Detroit war veterans receive medals for their role in liberating France from Nazi occupation.

It is one of the highest honors France bestows upon those who carry out actions of great value.

"You hear about it when you're in the Army about different medals and rewards," said Robert Haffner, World War II veteran. "All of us would say we'll never get it even if we stay alive. And here we are 72 years later, I am so honored to receive this French award I still can't believe it because it feels like a dream."

And in Waterford a small but symbolic Veteran's Day ceremony, members of Vietnam veterans motorcycle club gather to pay tribute to fellow veterans and to remember a difficult time in American history.

"The Vietnam vets you were almost afraid to tell somebody you were over there," said Thomas Wynn. "You were shunned. It really hurt. I never want to see people treat vets like they did Vietnam vets."

But years after they returned from war, these vets say they feel like they are appreciated.

"It means a lot," said Chuck Metz, Vietnam veteran. "On this one day veterans get their due diligence. They get honored for their service."

Lynn Hess' father and five uncles all fought in World War II at the same time and they all came back alive.

"They gave of themselves they gave the best of their youth - my dad quit high school at 17," Hess said. "And a lot of them did, they believed in freedom."