On National Vietnam War Veterans Day, we honor all those who bravely served in the Vietnam War and who sacrificed, as did their families and caregivers.
Since the birth of the United States, no single generation of Americans has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom by force of arms. More than 44 million American men and women have sacrificed and served in times of war.
In 2008, the Secretary of Defense was authorized by law to conduct a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
All military families endure the hardship of separation, uncertainty and fear, but the families of our Vietnam Veterans also witnessed their husbands and wives, sons and daughters, and fathers and mothers returning home to a nation in turmoil. They watched as the vast majority received no formal recognition for their service and weren’t welcomed home in ceremonies hosted by their communities.
Many unseen injuries went undiagnosed
Like Veterans returning from today’s battlefields, those who served in Vietnam came home with both physical and unseen injuries of war. Many of the unseen injuries suffered by our Vietnam Veterans went undiagnosed and weren’t understood by our medical community or citizens as they are now. Veterans were left to meet these challenges without the assistance available today.
“We pledge to never forget your sacrifice.”
History makes clear the importance of this Commemoration. Vietnam was a long war, and accordingly, a long commemoration period is planned. By presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.
No distinction is being made between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority served honorably and admirably.
58,307 names appear on the Wall in Washington, D.C. The average age of those name at death… 23. Many tens of thousands were disabled. Approximately 7,500 women, the majority of whom were nurses, served in Vietnam.
1,627 are still considered missing in action and their families await word of their fate.
The foundations of today’s military
These facts also are best understood by those who served and their families. Some continued to serve in uniform while many returned to civilian life, started families and began contributing to their communities.
Vietnam Veterans also mentored those that followed them in uniform and built the foundations of today’s military. Their experience and leadership led to successes in Panama, Desert Storm, Bosnia, and during Operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
As World War II and the Korean War reached their 50th anniversary, our nation commemorated our warriors’ service and sacrifice. Now we have the opportunity to do what should have been done 50 years ago: Welcome our Vietnam Veterans home with honor and thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice.
Across the country, thousands of local, state and federal organizations have become Commemorative Partners, committed to hosting events each year to thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families.
The names etched in The Wall at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial remind us of our loved ones who gave their all and never came home. To the families, caregivers and survivors of the more than 58,000 service members whose names are memorialized in the black granite, we pledge to never forget the eternal sacrifice of your loved ones and what you have sacrificed for America.
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I have been in a different VA facility each of the last two years on National Vietnam War Veterans Day and asked at least one employee in each “What day it was?” and only one new it was something about Vietnam. I found this very disappointing, but not surprising. There were no signs or posters that I show in either VA Building about National Vietnam War Veterans Day that I saw. These things maybe more than I should expect, but most of us didn’t want to be in Vietnam and others sure didn’t want to die there. I did have friends die there and others only to be egged when arriving in the United States. The friend I had that was egged got cancer shortly after I did, he died from it (early 30’s). Both Vietnam Era Vets and especially Vietnam War Vets deserve much better!
Our Vietnam Vets all deserve an apology for how they were treated when they came back home. For those brave men who did not come home we will never forget their service.
The Vietnam veteran occupies a unique place in American history. We were one of the very few groups of patriots that were ridiculed and shamed for our service. The war injuries we succumbed while defending the honor of our country were bad enough but the ugliness shown to us when we returned home was devastating. Actually, an apology to us would be more in order. I want to acknowledge to my fellow brothers and sisters that we were noble patriots that fought with courage and dedication for our country and that we honored those before us for doing the same. I would still stand up for this great country, if I could, however, those of us that served, realize that no one knows what we suffered better than we and those that benefitted from all those who fought to keep this country safe, don’t have a clue of what we need. I don’t need thanks, I need to be honored!
It’s true Vietnam Vets were not appreciated , honored, our welcomed home on our return from Vietnam. However , our service was noble in defense of freedom and extraordinary when facing the unorthodox enemy, & the politicians who lost by not knowing how to win over 10 years.
However, all the pains Vietnam Vets endured are healing today with the honors of The Wall , citizens greeting us with appreciation & thanks in stores. I have had perfect strangers buy my dinner. Such acts bring healing , appreciation, and the restore of honor we never had 50 years ago. It is a lot better today & I think the country realizes they need to seek forgiveness too. Which I can readily offer others because of finding my own key to forgiveness , by repenting & trusting Jesus Christ to forgive me. This is the ultimate solution. Laying behind the sins of the past & looking toward a brighter future.
It was an honor to be part of an air crew, flying in a C-121 Super Connie, flying young wounded battle fatigued patriots from various air fields in Vietnam to the Philippines for medical care. It was always amazing to me, of the 30 littered and 20 sitting wounded to see most laughing and joking simply because they were departing a hell hole alive, most, in the near future to be back at their homes, family and friends. Unfortunately, smeared at by others. I will always remember you and will always be pleased I played a small part getting them on their first leg home, even if they had only one, or none. God bless you all, and those especially whose name I will see on that long, long black granite wall this September, when I was chosen, along with 139 other Veterns, to go as a group on an honor flight to our nations capital.
Sgt. Willie Jones o5c40 13th Signal Battalion First Calvary.
Finally!!!!!
In the article it mentions that no distinction is made between the ones that served in country…in theatre…or elsewhere during the Vietnam War. What does that mean exactly? I wasn’t in country but my aircraft were flying into Vietnam jamming enemy missile sites.
Thank you for remembering
My husband lost his life there when we were 21. I lost a lot of friends way to early
And so many who were just never the same. Those were very dark times for many. I pray my children and grandchildren never experience anything like that ??
Welcome home
I wish to thank all of our Vietnam War veterans who sacrificed their lives to save the lives of the American people and keep our country number one on the world stage. I also want to thank all of the veterans who are still affected by the war and continue to struggle, along with their families, who work with these concerns today on a daily basis. I pray that we can all appreciate and strive to help and defend our country for future generations.