By Ryan C. Wilson 

Looking at the shadow box that holds Tom Mercer's collection of medals could lead one to believe they are the proverbial fruits of a lifelong career in the military. A Silver Star for Valor, three Bronze stars, with various other decorations surrounding.

In reality, the medals were earned during Mercer's one year tour in Vietnam from July 1967 to July 1968 with the Big Red One, 1st Batallion, 18th Infantry. A year, Mercer recalls, that might as well have lasted a lifetime.

"It was a good experience," said Mercer, a Seymour resident. "But I would never volunteer to go back if I could do it all over again. It took too much of a toll on me."

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