National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29, marking the day U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, disestablished on March 29, 1973.
This is the fourth anniversary of the day and second year in a row events will be largely virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Veterans can stay connected and participate in virtual events.
Here’s a list of some of those events.
On VA channels
Veterans, families, friends and the general public have several options to see Vietnam memorial walls in 2021 with the release of traveling wall schedules. Learn more at https://news.va.gov/85842/vietnam-memorial-walls-release-schedule-with-covid-restrictions/.
Read VA Secretary Denis McDonough’s message.
VA will also release videos on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/VeteransAffairs, Twitter at https://twitter.com/DeptVetAffairs and Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/deptvetaffairs/.
Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund will host an online commemoration at 1 p.m. March 29 with a live webcast at www.honorvietnamveterans.org or https://www.facebook.com/VietnamVeteransMemorialFund/.
Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins
The Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin has become “a lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks.” Living U.S. Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, are eligible to receive one lapel pin.
Normally, Veterans receive these lapel pins during public ceremonies. However, if there is no commemorative event planned in your area, eligible veterans can visit vietnamwar50th.com and click on “How can I get a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin?” Veterans will receive this via mail at the earliest opportunity.
Event organizers can click here for examples of how to safely host commemorative events using COVID-19 precautions on and around National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Everyone can get involved by visiting www.vietnamwar50th.com. People can also participate in the commemoration on Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Instagram and LinkedIn by searching for “vietnamwar50th” or “vietnamwarcommemoration.”
Listen to Army Veteran Peter Aylward talk about the commemoration.
Team RWB Vietnam War Veterans Day Challenge
Join Team RWB as they welcome home Vietnam Veterans by honoring their service and sacrifice through this challenge! Whether members tackle the workout linked below or choose to remember them in their own way (walk/ruck/cycle, etc), check-in and leave a comment in this event for the Vietnam Veterans out there in Eagle Nation to honor them.
The event is at https://members.teamrwb.org/events/17139.
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To all Vets from the Vietnam Conflict era “I APPRECIATE YOUR SERVICE”. I guess The President and Vice President were to busy to send thanks to us that served during the Vietnam Conflict. Another slap in the face from our leaders in Washington. I have never really felt that I was not appreciated during that time. My parents and the girl that I married kept my spirits up and thanking them for that. I guess until I saw the news when I came home people here didn’t really show that they were against our military. But over the years the attitude I got at some place was how I was a baby killer just didn’t set well for me. Now that America has gotten to a point that the Government sure does not care about us. Not trying to take anything away from anyone that has served in the Military at anytime but yesterday was our day to be remembered and nothing not a thing about us the Vietnam Era service men and women. I served from 1967 to 1973 in the United States Navy. Thank you for your service men and women of that era of the Vietnam Conflict.
Up Yours! I can still feel the time as I went through the San Francisco airport of being sit on. After that I had to go to the rest room and clean my uniform before I went home to see my mother. What happen to me was no Myth and you can try to rewrite history all you want, but I was there, where the hell were you! Or are you one of the hippies that want to protect his borther’s or sister’s from their shame. I look around today and and see proud Veit-Nam Viet’s, but were did all the loving hippies go. I am proud of what I did and you will never take that away from me.
This statement is for you Zamm
Thank you for doing what u did
I truly appreciate it my daddy was also there and went thou the same hell
Welcome Home, Brother!
CLYDEL OLIVER I AM A RETIRED USARMY VET 1955 TO 1979 SERVED IN NAM 1967 TO 1968 DUING THE TET I WAS WITH THE 1ST BIRGDE IN SIGON AND LONG LING SITE ON VAUNG THY MOUNTAIN I HAVE HADE PROSTATE CANCER FROM AGENT ORANGE / RETIRED SGM LOVED MY SERVICE TIME
Article says it’s 50th Anniversary of the end of MACV in 1973. Since VA can’t count right, complaining about its administrative incompetence is probably a futile waste of time and energy.
Wikipedia headline for 3/29/71 is the conviction of Lt Calley, USMC.
My husband has spent this day in a nursing home where he has been for the last month receiving physical therapy rehab after a couple of hospital stays. He has spent the last 15 years of his life in a wheelchair and in and out of hospitals and doctor offices because of illnesses contracted from his exposure to Agent Orange while serving in Vietnam. In spite of this, he has always declared that he was proud to serve his country and has always felt a kindred spirit with those who have served, but, of course, he feels closer to those who served in the “unpopular” war, as Vietnam was always referred to in the media.
We are both glad that today was declared a day to honor the Vietnam Veterans but it shouldn’t stop here. We should always honor the sacrifices, whether it was the ultimate one or ongoing sacrifices, Vietnam Veterans have made.
Yes, Welcome Home!
In the Fall of 1966 I was drafted and then enlisted for education benefits. I took a six month radar course, then ordered to teach the same course for the next year. After a period of three daily shifts, it was determined that there were enough qualified techs, and more instructors than needed. So many instructors were sent to Viet Nam! I arrived in RVN some time after Tet. Just in time to serve one full year in country before my three year enlistment expired. I never worked the MOS that was qualified to teach. I wonder where those I served with are now? Thanks for your service Brothers!
Served JAN – DEC66 with A Co. and HHC, 2/18th, 1st Inf Div. I’ve managed to stay connected with a few LTs with whom I served, but I have had no contact with any of the men from the 3rd Platoon. They were all good men, and I miss them.
May God bless all those who served in Vietnam and their families! I served in the Mekong Delta in 1969 as a combat medic, attached to the 9th Infantry Division. One of our most terrible battles was July 3 to July 4 of 1969 in The Plain of Reeds, south of Saigon. 20 of us on a recon mission ran into over 500 NVA regular Army Soldiers. 32 hours later, 11 of us came out of that battle and over 300 enemy had been killed, with all the support that it come to our aid during the battle. I’ve never forgotten the Soldiers I could not save during that battle. July 2019, four of us went back to that location, where we took an ax handle that we had engraved the names of those who died in that battle on it. We buried the hatchet, in a box with some notes from us, and prayed for their souls. We went back to our hotel, made a toast to our fallen fellow soldiers, and it was a major relief doing that symbolic act. So many brave young souls who never had a chance to have children, see their children graduate, or get married and have grandchildren, due to their death in Vietnam. I am grateful to have served in combat, and as their medic, with such a great and amazing group of men in the 9th Infantry Division. God Bless America. Sgt Brian “Doc” Burry.
I served at Tuy Hoa with several squadrons of F-100’s. I also had prostate cancer years later, and the DAV represented me for my disability. The VA gets an “A” for getting Covid shots to Vets in the system. I wound up serving 42 years in DOD, and my career in Aerospace would not be possible without my service experience. As an amateur musician, I wrote a song about my experience with the Vietnam Memorial Wall, and I have played it at the American Legion where I used to regularly perform , pre-covid. I deeply respect ALL our veterans who have served so proudly and unselfishly, regardless of their service branch, rank, or race . THANK YOU!
recall that the South fell to the Communists as SecDef McNamara predicted in the 1960’s? The communists won the war, because the Vietnamese people did not support the South Vietnamese government, and for good reason. Political and governmental corruption was pervasive at levels high and low.
I was a Special Forces officer, but served in Vietnam as a Rifle Platoon Leader in the 173rd Airborne, pounding the paddies and mountains in northern II Corps. I also served on the Commanding General’s staff for part of my tour, and I heard every briefing while I was the CG’s aide-de-camp. The big challenge wasn’t the NVA, but rather the astounding apathy of the South Vietnamese people who avoided military service and had no use for a war enriching Saigon. Serious thinking combat veterans know that not a single American casualty in Vietnam was justified by that war. The Gulf of Tonkin Resolution was based upon a lie. No serious historians contend otherwise. If the Generals around you in HQ talked about the conspiracy you described, I now know the origin of the QAnon long before the last President.
Sam Boyd 1970-71, Airborne Infantry
Carl, don’t forget Colin Powell’s My American Journey which if filled with honesty and brutal candor about the privileged avoiding service to their country., All combat veterans know that the privileged were not patrolling our AO with the fabulous young men willing to wear the uniform of our country and fire and manuver because it was their duty.
Sam Boyd
Sgt. Robert Altvatter, (Frenchy), I served in Viet Nam 1970/71, Co. E 1st/501st, 101st Airborne. We were up north and west of our base at Phu Bai / Hue. I was assigned with Alpha Co. as a part time platoon sgt., squad leader, forward observer, recon, etc. Even though I’ve never seen any of my comrades my thoughts are always with them. I went to the wall every chance I have had, (it being mobile). I lost many in my units and friends of high school. It’s very difficult to see, but needed for healing. I also have a picture of Virgil Bates, whos picture is missing from the archives. It is a picture taken from a distance but it is him. He and his wife treated me so special while going to NCO school I nearly felt human. Virgil went to Hawaii on a two week leave to see his child born. The baby was late and he did not see his child born, returned to Viet Nam, and on a fire base he lost his life a week later. Even though I lost dozens of young men over a year in action nothing affected me like the loss of Sgt. Virgil Bates. The losses and mistakes that were made during this war I hope will never have to be experienced by our veterans again, but I will always serve my country. Thank you all for your service from the bottom of my heart. Dr. Robert Altvatter signing off.
I agree, Mr Plotkin. Neither I nor any other Vietnam vet I know had any such experience. Scholars confirmed this:
George Washington University
History News Network
Jack Shafer: Were Vietnam vets spat at?
Were veterans spat upon as they returned from serving in Vietnam? When Holy Cross College scholar Jerry Lembcke studied the allegations for his 1998 book Spitting Image: Myth, Memory, and the Legacy of Vietnam, he found no evidence to back the claim.
Since 2000, I’ve been using this column to track Vietnam vet spit allegations as they appear in the press, and have found nothing that contradicts Lembcke’s basic assessment. On Feb. 5 and Feb. 12, I published pieces that looked at newspaper stories everybody’s research had unearthed. None documents a spit incident with any specificity. I still believe the stories deserve the “urban legend” status assigned to them by Lembcke.
In 1992, the Director of the Connelly Library and curator of the Vietnam War Collection at LaSalle University listed the spitting myth as one of the “Top Six Myths” from the Vietnam era, and observed the myth “derives from the mythopoeic belief that returning GIs were routinely spat upon at some time during their repatriation to the USA. This particular round of tales has become so commonplace as to be treated reverently even among otherwise wisely observant veterans.” In 1994, scholar Paul Rogat Loeb wrote, “to consider spitting on soldiers as even remotely representative of the activist response is to validate a lie”, and noted that myths like that of anti-war activists spitting on soldiers have rewritten or “erased history”.
Welcome home all you Veterans of every wartime! I’m happy and proud to have served with the USAF Security Service in Europe from 1963 to 1967. To all of you, especially those good buddies I served with: Thanks for making our great country and our freedoms possible because of your service. Vets are a special bunch.
I joined the army at 17 in 1969, turned 18 that year and when over, 173rd ,I have tried to visit the wall, with family and friends several times, very hard to take, I feel a connection with every single name, I went to a homecoming in Charlotte in 2010, the first time in all of the years I was able to do something like that, I do attend reunions now, it does help to visit with others who went thru it. I just happened to read a news article about today, not special was made of this locally or by the VA, I am not surprised, don’t feel like hero, just did my job and was proud to serve my country, went on to put some time in the National Guard, long live the USA
I volunteered in March 1973 I completed the entire process to be embarked on to the Vietnam War – but unfortunately I was never engaged, the cease-fire was signed three months later. Having been born in Cuba, the son of a military father and having suffered all kinds of abuses and crimes by Fidel Castro’s communists government, in my youth I want to fight against the communists in Vietnam and in favor of my adopted homeland USA, it seemed at that moment my best award and honorable obligation. The communists and their criminal regimes around the world are our worst enemies.
I was in Vietnam ‘65-‘66 Chu Li. USMC Mos 0341 81mm Mortors Always was and will be a Marine. I lived in NJ and tried to get my VA benefits for my prostate cancer due to exposure to Agent Orange. I am now 77 years old, moved to Florida and within one year I got my benefits. I am rated 50 percent disabled due to my cancer and hearing loss from combat. Went from Vietnam to Okinawa and landed at El toro navel airbase. Was discharged from Camp Pendleton California. Drove to NJ in my civies and never mentioned my service in Vietnam or the Marines for years. I suffered with PTSD for years without knowing what my problem was. My family saw what I was going through and said I should get some help. By then they finally called it PTSD. I will never regret my service to my country or to the Marine Corp but I was never the same person after Vietnam. SEMPER FI to all who served.
Gary, I am Richard Hauzinger graduate of George J Penney Highschool East Hartford CT 1970.
Are you also a Navy Vet. It was almost pre-determined that I join the Navy, with my hero, my dad being a lifer! What a day today, with celebrations and all. I have to tell you a funny story. We are all given and entrance apptitude test and my mechanical score was 26 out of 100. Si in their infinite wisdom they put me in the boiler room, 1200lb superheated.
Rich
I joined the USNR in Hartford,CT Sept 16, 1970. My dad a Navy Career Man who served on diesel submarines from 1936-1956 had to go with me to sign up, because I was 17. At the time you would go to drill meetings for 1 year and then be activated for 2 years. I asked for and received duty on board a Destroyer Escort USS Lang DE-1060. I was assigned to the boiler room. The ship had just come back from a West Pac Tour another name for Vietnam. We left Long Beach CA. July 1972 and came back March 1973, from another West Pac Tour
We provided Naval Gunfire Support from Haiphong Harbor to Saigon for the duration……Yes my experience with the blue water navy was a different kind of combat. The ship received the Combat Action, Viet Service, and Viet Campaign I am certified 100% disabled psychiatric and physically. I would do it all over again. It was the Right thing to do. God Bless you all, best wishes.
Zinger BT3
Visited the clinic today to get my second Covid shot. Not a word was said about Vietnam Vet Day!!! Just like when those of us who came home!!
Welcome Home!!!!!
Welcome Home!
I was stateside during the last days of the Vietnam Conflict, but we ALL supported out men and women that suffered from this military campaign. May God, in His infinite wisdom, have mercy on all of us. To the rest of my brothers and sisters, welcome home!
So sorry for your disappointment
People so quickly move on to their own problems. I m thinking of you today.
Thank you for caring about your fellow man. Sending a big hug. Lanie
It makes my heart hurt to think of what you all went through only to be made invisible
After a short time later
Sending my thoughts of gratitude for all you suffered and still remained brave.
Leonie
This is aimed at Jimmy Dean’s comment above.
I arrived in December 1967 just in time for Tet. I came home through Fort Lewis Washington. I left there in my class A uniform. I went to Seattle SeaTac airport. As I was walking through the airport there was a crowd of about 20 people with signs protesting. A girl walked up to me and called me a baby killer, and she spit in my face and slapped me. I was stunned but my immediate reaction was to punch her right in the face and she went down. There were police watching the protesters and when this happened the protesters started coming and screaming and the police stepped in and stopped it. The police walked me over to a café there and bought me a cuppa coffee and explained what was going on. I never saw anything about protesting in the Stars and Stripes. They stayed with me until I boarded the plane. This was my welcome Home.
I served as an infantryman with Charlie Company, 1st Battalion 8th Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. I came home as a Sergeant E-5 with an MOS of 11 Bravo 40 and proudly display my Combat Infantryman Badge .
Tony:
Wow! You met the exception. She most likely wanted to slap Truman, Ike, Nixon, Kennedy, or Johnson or maybe McNamara for sending us to the French colony (whose plea for independence) Woodrow Wilson failed to support while arguing for his League of Nations after sending other young Americans abroad to fight on foreign soil. At the time, Americans speaking out against that war were imprisoned. During Nam, they were shot to death.
Politicians pitted us against one another so they might prosecute that war. Three years after Tet, a bunch of NG’s fired into a crowd of college students (May 4, 1970), There was the Orangeburg Massacre (less widely known) as well.
Nixon and Agnew attempted to pit a ‘silent majority’ against those who pleaded and marched for peace (and to bring us home) with Agnew (a convicted criminal BTW) advancing the idea of incarcerating war protesters for the duration.
I gave blood one day at my college, got all patriotic and volunteered that week. While in training I read about the wars there before we decided to assist the French retake control of their colony:
At the Potsdam Conference in July 1945, the Combined Chiefs of Staff decided that Indochina south of latitude 16° north was to be included in the Southeast Asia Command under British Admiral Mountbatten. The Japanese forces located south of that line surrendered to him and those to the north surrendered to Generalissimo Chiang Kai-shek. In September 1945, Chinese forces entered Tonkin, and a small British task force landed at city of Saigon (Cochinchina’s capital). The Chinese accepted one Vietnamese government under Hồ Chí Minh, then in power in Hanoi (Tonkin’s capital). The British refused to do likewise in Saigon, and deferred to the French there from the outset, against the ostensible support of the Việt Minh authorities by American OSS representatives. On V-J Day, September 2, Hồ Chí Minh had proclaimed in Hanoi the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (DRV). The DRV ruled as the only civil government in all of Vietnam for a period of about 20 days, after the abdication of Emperor Bảo Đại, who had governed under the Japanese rule. On 23 September 1945, with the knowledge of the British commander in Saigon, French forces overthrew the local DRV government, and declared French authority restored in Cochinchina. Guerrilla warfare began around Saigon immediately,[31] but the French gradually retook control of the South and North of Indochina. Hồ Chí Minh agreed to negotiate the future status of Vietnam, but the talks, held in France, failed to produce a solution. After over one year of latent conflict, all-out war broke out in December 1946 between French and Việt Minh forces as Hồ Chí Minh and his government went underground. The French tried to stabilize Indochina by reorganizing it as a Federation of Associated States. In 1949, they put former Emperor Bảo Đại back in power, as the ruler of a newly established State of Vietnam.
I apologize for that woman who spit i your face. If I had seen that I would have punched her in the nose for you. Sending a big warm hug and a belated thank you for all you did for us. Leonie
May we always remember those we have lost and continue to thank the ones that are still here with us. Never forget the True Cost of Freedom.
Thank you all!
I got drafted in 1967 in Los Angeles California. I did my basic training and Advanced training at Fort Ord California and my MOS was 11 bravo. Because of my hi training marks I ended up at Fort Myer Virginia third infantry Old Guard. I was a drummer in the five and drum Corps for a short time then Caisson then Recon. I was in Bobby Kennedy’s funeral also Eisenhower’s funeral also general Westmorland’s retirement ceremony to name a few of the mini ceremonies I participated in. Funeral ceremonies were happening almost daily two or three times a day with soldiers coming home to rest from Vietnam. God Bless them.
And God Bless you Alexander
There is a big hug and thank you coming your way
Leonie
I am a two time Vietnam Veteran, I served two tours in Vietnam. The first was in June 1967 to April 1968, I was stationed in Danang on Monkey Mountain with USASTRATCOM. My second tour was at Cantho Air Base from May 1970 to June of 1971. I was proud to have served my country and to e able to protect my loved ones and the loved ones of others as other war veterans have done before me. Of course we had a rough time when we came back, and was treated like dirt because we fought in the Vietnam War. I glad I had a chance to see how people reacted to a war being fought in their country. I was able to see the fear on their faces as they wandered if they were going to see another day. I thought I knew what hunger was until I saw the little children coming to our garbage dump with bags and tin cans like they were going to the super market to shop for groceries. I’m going to stop now because I feel myself getting emotional. My hat’s off to all my Vietnam Brothers and to families of those who did not make it back, thanks for your service.
Willy I was very moved by your comments
And I understand how you could get very emotional at that time. I m proud of you and all you did. Please accept my apologies for how the country treated you and your fellow
Soldiers
Please accept a big hug and thanks for all you did for us.
Leonie
I served in Vietnam combat zone 66 to 67 in Takhli Royal Thai AFB in Thailand 355 Supply Squadron (PACAF) as a fuel specialist it means i gave aircraft fuel to fly. Served my Country with honor proud to be called a brother.
And God Bless you Alexander
There is a big hug and thank you coming your way
Leonie
Thanks for still feeling the same way about your brothers
All of you deserve our utmost gratitude
I thank you for those who are not able
To understand how much we need and admire you.
Leonie
We landed the morning of the 1968 tet started. A young man that didn’t no what to exoect but quickly learned. For my family and country I would do it all over again. Thanks to all the VETS.
We thank you for willing to do it all over again. You are a true patriot
Thank you for your bravery
Leonie
I served as a clinical specialists with medics reporting to me while in Vietnam during 1970-71. I had the honor to provide medical care to around 2000 of our fellow army individuals and had to fill in for medics when we were short of personnel on numerous occasions. My experiences ranged from quite serious to others that were less stressful yet significant to my fellow soldiers. When I returned, like quite a few others, I was met with hostility, scorn and redicule that I’ll never forget. I also have had numerous health issues directly related to my Agent Orange exposure and know that these illnesses will be the final chapter in my Vietnam experience. I think those of us with the war’s effects should also be included with our brave individuals that gave their lives while deployed there.
I was very proud to hear all you were involved in during the war. All the people you helped an cared about. It is so sad you had to experience all those negative experiences
I m so grateful that I can say thank you to you now. And know that someone has heard your story.
Much love your way.
Leonie
I was in Vietnam from May 1967 thru May 1968. I served with the 9th Inf Div, A Co 5th Mech, Bien Phouc, Mekong Delta. I was finally welcomed home and thanked for my service by a large family of Vietnamese who waited for me beside my Motorcycle. They saw my patch and Vietnam Veteran I had placed on my bike. They said ‘We’ve been waiting for you to tell you thank you for what you young men tried to do for us. We know your political leaders and your country didn’t support or welcome you home.’ All 10-12 family members and me had a high group hug. It was awesome.
Sgt Candelaria: Ive been where you were only two months later, Company A !st Battalion (Mech) 16th Infantry 9th Inf. Div. A Classic fire base, we were always being shot at from the tree line South of the base, Rice Pattys surrounding us with I believe highway 1 , next to the base, we cleared the road of mines every morning. I remember we actually had tents to sleep in showers and a bar to drink beer at, made trips to purchase beer 3 Pc’s with a pallet of beer on each one mostly Black label. The delta was really beautiful. Two months later, things changed, the first Div didn’t have any Mech unites so they took us. I was then for the rest of my tour Co A 1st BTN 16 INF 1st INF DIV with a 9th div patch on my right and 1st on left.. Never saw Bien Phouc again. Moved to the North, search and destroy missions and slept in our personal carriers, all jungle, I missed the rice Pattys. Can you believe its been 50 years, I turned 21 there. I still have the memories good or bad, we made it. We are all brothers for life! Sgt. Curtis Amrein. 10 July, 68- 9 July, 69
What a marvelous experience that must have been for you to experience. It makes me very
Happy to know someone thanked you.
I am also sending many many thanks to you and the others who served with you.
Leonie
B 3/21 196th lib december 69 to November 70 looking for anyone who was there during that time period.
I was a machine gunner with Lima 3/7 & Kilo 3/5 of the 1st Marine Division mid 1970 – 1971. We worked out of LZ Ross in I Corps in Quang Nam Province in the Que Son mountains on the border with Laos.
Thank you for telling us what and where you were stationed
So happy you made it home
Sending you lots of graduation and warm hugs for protecting our freedom
Leonie
Hope you find someone
Sending thanks and best in the future
Leonie
c 4/31 196 lib dec 69 to nov 70 lz west &siberia.
was in nam 1969 exposed to agent orange took test at va. was in lawsuit. like all other live nam vets tough luck suck it up. none us got anything. also va say medical records lost in nam?
You did not deserve what you received from our country. I can only hope things will get better for you And your brothers
Please accept my apology—this should not have happened.
I stand beside you to give you some kind of strength that someone has heard you
Leonie
Happy Viet Nam Veterans Day to all my Brothers, especially the ones who didn’t make it back. It’s been almost 51 years since I left but some days it feels like yesterday. We leave Viet Nam but Viet Nam never leaves us. For anyone struggling with the past, PLEASE reach out, we Brothers are all here for you !
God Bless
Edward Duncan E Troop 1/1 Cavalry 11th Lib. I Corp. 69/70
Edward Duncan, it is so good to see another Trooper is still riding the point. I was with E Troop 1/1 Cavalry 11th Light Infantry from September 66’ till June 68’. I spent the 2nd half of my tour in Nam with B Troop 1/1 Cavalry attached to 23rd Infantry Division (Americal). I enjoyed my time and would do it all over again, even know what I know now. God Bless all that’s serviced.
Gary Flora Sr.
So sorry for all the trouble
Life really sucks sometimes
And it doesn’t matter who you are when it decides to suck.
Thanks for hanging in and sure hope you get some better memories to focus on.
Leonie
So wonderful after all this time you are still reaching out to help your fellow brothers
You are very special
Thank you for protecting all of us at home
Sending you a big hug with gratitude
Leonie
My husband was in Vietnam from 1969-1970. He was exposed to Agent Orange. He passed away this year from Alzheimer’s. It is not recognized as a disease from Agent Orange but statistics prove that there is a large number of Vietnam vets who have Alzheimer’s.
LINDA
If you are referencing the JAMA study, you should publish the conclusion because ” statistics prove that there is a large number of Vietnam vets who have Alzheimer’s ” is meaningless. The study basically says “I don’t know” using the phrase “Agent Orange exposure may increase risk of dementia.”
Question Is Agent Orange exposure associated with an increased risk of dementia diagnosis in US veterans of the Vietnam era?
Findings In this study of more than 300 000 veterans (The total sample was 511 189 individuals; after exclusions, 316 351 were included in analyses.), those with Agent Orange exposure in their medical records were nearly twice as likely as those without exposure to receive a dementia diagnosis, even after adjusting for medical and psychiatric comorbidities and other variables.
Meaning Per this analysis, Agent Orange exposure may increase risk of dementia. Veterans (treated at VA Facilities) with Agent Orange (documented in their Meidical Records) exposure were nearly twice as likely to be diagnosed with dementia after adjusting for the competing risk of death, demographic variables, and medical and psychiatric comorbidities. Additional studies are needed to examine potential mechanisms underlying the association between Agent Orange exposure and dementia.
Better to spread facts than rumors. And it is so easy with a link: https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamaneurology/article-abstract/2774857?guestAccessKey=947872d5-cf2b-41c3-ae90-3a044ae6131f&utm_source=silverchair&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=article_alert-jamaneurology&utm_content=olf&utm_term=012521
I feel your pain and how brave you were for all these to care for your husband.
Sending warm well wishes for your future
Leonie
Linda:
You have my sincere sympathy for what you have been through. Thank you for sharing your story. My husband was diagnosed with dementia, possibly mixed cardiovascular and Alzheimer’s, by the VA provider he was seeing for diabetes caused by Agent Orange exposure. Ironically he is being treated medically for his diabetes by his outside provider and for his dementia by his VA provider.
He is proud of his service and I’m proud that I protested the war itself, although I never blamed the soldiers because many of them were my friends. Today we put out a flag to honor our veterans.
I served in Viet- Nam in 69-70 and was proud to do so. Until I arrived home at the airport and was met by a crowd of hippy’s who spat on me and called me every dirty name in the book. I guess I should have not been wearing my uniform. What I could not understand was, I was not just fighting for the Viet-Nam people’s right, but for there right’s to. I belived and still do, that everyone has a right to say or do what ever they want as long as it does not hurt anyone else. Thats what I was fighting for a thing called FREEDOM!
You explained yourself so clearly and should be proud of what to did and feel. Don’t ever let anyone that that from you.
You are on the right side of life stay the course. We are with you.
Leonie
I possessed an extremely low draft number (171), but thanks to my brother, was able to avoid the Vietnam War completely. He was able to get me a deferment for a part-time civilian position at Norfolk Naval Air Station when I flunked out of college (Va. Tech). In the six months I was deferred before being re-admitted to school, I finally graduated from Va. Tech in 1972 on a Saturday, only to receive my draft notice in the mail the following Monday! I went to West Germany, after basic training at Fort Jackson, SC, and AIT at Fort Sill, OK. I spent two years in Schweinfurt, W. Germany, and never regretted being a part of the U. S. Army. I don’t think that I recognized anyone on the Vietnam Wall of Deaths, and I’m so thankful for what my older brother did for me.
Yo, Jimmie Dean
Sorry, I can’t believe your “spitting airport hippies” crapola. Maybe more likely in 1970 (when the US involvement was already winding down following “Vietnamization), then when I DEROS’d back in April 1969. Never saw such a thing when I flew in SFO, thence JFK. Also no such hassles when I visited my old school: balls-out hippy dippie Bard College, in uniform of course. But if it somehow was true in your case, you must not have been a very scary-looking dude. You weren’t a field grunt, were you? And either way what was your unit, your AO, and your MOS?
To Mr. Potkin. Sir you are in deed lucky. Draft 11/67 Basic Ft, Lewis in the rain and snow. AIT Ft Gordon this in time for Martin Luther King Ass..Then Oakland Replacement center for assignment to 2nd Log. Ok. Assigned to 555TH then 585 TH. Lastly to E Co. 2nd log, Spent one week in repair shop and landed on a list headed to Vam. This good buddy was TDY. 18 months there no R&R cause not assigned there, Finally Home to Oakland on to Seattle SeaTac. Cab to train station and a greeting from said Hippies with same spitting and name calling. Train to home town of Whitefish, Mt. No one to say high but a couple mouthy bastards, Approximately one hour walk i the March. 1970 pre dawn to my folks home. No I wasn’t a grunt, As for anything else Man if you have a chip this disabled would be happy to help you out.
I came home from Nam 4Oct71; We were also greeted by the protestors at Oakland Air Terminal, as they cussed us and threw cans, bottles, apples, oranges, etc as we came off the plane near the cyclone fence by the terminal. What a shocker that was. So I definitely know what Jimmie was speaking about. Hang in there, Jimmie. A Nam Brother–Paul Hancock
David Felten, Thank you for the suggestion that vets who served in Vietnam and have since died from the effects of Agent Orange should be honored. My husband, Maj. Glen D. Erp, USAF (Ret), served at Bien Hoa from 1965 to 1966, flew “Puff, the Magic Dragon” (C-47, outfitted with Gatling guns). He died November 8, 2017, after being diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. Also, wondering why the lapel pin is limited to ‘living’ vets.
I m so sorry that the pin is only got the living.
Maybe some day that will change. We can only hope. You husband is in my thoughts and so are you.
Leonie
My father was a WWII vet, brother Vietnam vet like you. I was just looking up where the wall would be traveling, glanced down and your name caught my attention. My husband & I knew a Steve Kline in Germany. I feel for your circumstances and hope you continue to get treatment you need.
Welcome Home Heroes..and Thank You…
Gary Moser
It is so sad to hear so many personal stories of serving so faithfully and then getting mistreated upon your return. Then to top it off, to be denied rightful benefits even though Agent Orange is the culprit, as well as those who knew about it.
I was privileged to be at Cam Ranh Bay Air Base, USAF Medical Core, serving those of you who came out of direct combat and were air-evaced out of country from my unit, the 26th ASF. There were beau coup heroes that came through my doors back in 70 – 71. I was, also, honored to serve my country. Looks like I, too, am beginning to deal with A.O.
Sorry you are starting to deal with problems
Stemming from AO
I HOPE you will have someone strong to help you through it.
My prayers are for you.
Leonie
I was in in Country in Viet Nam from March 1970 to 1971. When I came back my wife, 4 year old son along with my Mother and Farther met me at Seattle International Airport. As I walked toward them, a few people (Protesters) spit on me and shoved me. My Son started to cry when he saw what some people were doing to me. What a wonderful welcome home I received for obeying the President of the united States. Would I do it again? YES I would. And God Bless all Viet Nam Vets, you served your country well.
what a great welcome I received for obeying the orders of the Present of the United States.
I can only tell you how sorry I am for what happened to you in the airport. Terrible that your little son had to witness that.
Sending strength for you and your family
Leonie
Attn fellow Vietnam Veterans,
Subject: Vietnam Veterans are all HEROS.
FYI, I served in the 25th Inf at Cu Chị 1969 (18mos) as a staff to Gen Black and then to Gen Camp (a fighting General of action). Gen Camp & I were both transferred in 1970 to MACV HQ in Saigon. While in G2 briefings I learned about the intelligence of the Vietnam War & in numerous Am only G2 briefings I learned/observed intelligence that reviewed/strategized the real reason our troops were in Vietnam. That was to prevent China/Russia/NVietnam from moving forward with their confirmed plan (in the late 60s/early 70s) to takeover S Vietnam, link up with existing Communist movements in Philippines/Indonesia/Malaysia/Thailand & Burma and then riding on that victory (if accomplished) taking an approximately 2 million military force to capture the oil in Brunei then Immediately jump to defeat the 60,000 military forces of Australia to take over all Australia’s mineral resources that they desperately needed in their home countries to manufacture large amounts of war machinery to mount an even bigger offensive to link up with their communist movements in India and Pakistan with their military forces from the north of oil rich middle east to capture all the oil of the Middle East. If they accomplish that goal it would have been game over for the United States then. We couldn’t let this happen at that time and we would have no choice but to counter that action that would likely have evolved into a world war and most likely a nuclear world war. We needed that oil.
Thank goodness that we won all the seven major offenses in South Vietnam to defeat the North’s Forces by 1973 and knock out all the Communist movements in countries around Vietnam and most of the Middle East also by 1973. Therefor the communist of China/Russia/N.Vietnam plan was successfully broken by our forces in S.Vietnam and that triggered the signing of the Paris Peace Agreement in 1973 that ended the Vietnam War and allowed us to pull out our 500,000 troops from Vietnam by the end of 1974.
I’m telling you this because I want to let every Vietnam War Veteran know that all of them (us) are truly heros. They all had a hand in stoping our enemy from accomplishing their world wide plan and that saved Americans from a terrible world war and a mostly communist world.
G Watts
Vietnam Veteran
I heard about the domino effect regarding the Vietnam War but this is the first time I read about it in some detail……sounds plausible. I served in the 9th Infantry in 1966/1967 and I was also careful not to wear my uniform in public after returning home. Several of my friends didn’t make it home. Let’s keep our country a dual-party democracy.
Wow that was a lot of information you shared with us. Thanks for setting the record straight
How brave you were and are. Thank you so very much for all you did to protect our home
Land.
Leonie
I can only tell you how sorry I am for what happened to you in the airport. Terrible that your little son had to witness that.
Sending strength for you and your family
Leonie
When I got released of my active duty, I was proud and moved on. But now I look back and my purple heart was never put in my file, and the bronze star was never issued. Being out of the service was satisfaction to serve but now I would like to be honored with my valor. 1970 Marines, Lima 3/5.
All my viet nam records except the DD214 were lost in a fire in the records building. I was pissed for a long time but now, hey, it was a long time ago and I got back without getting my ass shot off. Well PTSD, and a few other medical conditions, but i am alive an kicking.. So Fck it…
To the Donut Dollies
Honoring Their Service and Sacrifice
I had the privilege of driving a few of the young ladies around Cam Ranh Bay in 1970. While they may have been forgotten by many, they still live in my heart and mind. They provided a boost to moral that was beyond measure to those lucky troops to get their visit. Their smile, concern and interest to the troops was immeasurable. While the names may have faded in my memory, their service has not. They made life a little easier.
THANK YOU
Donut Dollies
JW
All records on fire have been recovered. So I call BS. My records also burnt in fire.
All my records have been recovered. I served 24 months in Vietnam 1969- 1971. With 25th ID, 101st Abn. I stayed in Army until 1998. For good measure I went to war a second time in 1990 with the 101st ABN again. Somehow I managed to retire from USA as a Sergeant Major. My most cherished Army Badge is CIB second award. To repeat all my USA records burnt in fire. Have been recovered
[Editor: Not all records have been recovered. I actually wrote about this, on this blog, several years ago. They know exactly whose records burned, and there are things you can do to help piece them back together: https://news.va.gov/22133/the-nprc-records-fire-of-1973/ ]
Was station at DaNang 1964-65
“The Rangers Honor”
( This is a (True Story )
Veteran Problems
An American Story
Please Read, Veterans Help
“The Rangers Honor”
WWW. Amazon, E-BOOK
Thanks for the info —I will check it out
Leonie
I was drafted in 1969 and was placed in the Army. Fortunately, I was stationed in the 2nd Infantry Division near the DMZ in Korea. This location was considered a “hostile fire zone” and some received combat pay. There was loss of life. If you served in Korea or know someone who did, please alert them that Agent Orange was used on a regular basis and that the VA has admitted that many health problems (prostate cancer, etc.) are attributable to contact with Agent Orange. The VA continues to hide this fact from those who served near the DMZ Korea. The VA knows exactly everyone who served near the DMZ Korea yet they still refuse to notify or alert these Veterans to the long term dangers of exposure to Agent Orange.
Unfortunately sometimes bad things happened and we can only hope that things will get better in the future. Please accept my thoughts of gratitude and caring for all those who served
Leonie
Dear my Vietnam Veterans, I am a Vietnamese, came here 3 years after the war, a Boat People Refugee. I thank you and your entire family for your sacrifice, service to defend our former homeland, and the mental and physical pain you and your family endured all these years. Your dedication and service to defend our freedom will forever grateful appreciated. Be safe and may God bless you and your family.
As a Vietnam Veteran, your words really touched my Heart! Thank you for reaching out, to those of us who served in your country. Welcome to our country.
Rich, Is this the Richard Johnson who graduated from LexHigh School, Lex MA.,who would remember me fro that era. Respond either way. Regardless, thank you Richard for your service.
Larry G.
You are welcome and thank you for remembering us on this day. I hope your life has been good in this country.
How. Lovely to hear
Such a positive statement
Thanks
Leonie
I served in Vietnam through 1971. First half in Quang Tri, 14th Engineer Battalion. Ran supplies up and down QL 9 until we pulled out of Quang Tri. Reassigned to 554th in Bao Loc.running convoys to Siagon on QL 20. Back to the USA in January of 1972..
Everything seemed OK until 2011 when started experiencing severe back pain. After getting an MRI, I was told to go to the Cleveland Clinic for diagnosis. Found severe case of Multiple Myeloma all over, especially in my spine and ribs. Could not lift my chin up off my chest. Cancer had dissolved calcium from my bones. Had eleven vertebra filled with plastic (Kyphoplasty). Seems Agent Orange dioxin from my time in and around Quang Tri took 40 years to come out. After help from the American Legion, the VA finally caved in and I am now 100% disabled and crippled. The VA gives me full medical benefits.
Was in remission since 2015, but now have signs of it may be coming back. Just so hard to believe that the government dumped Agent Orange on it’s soldiers, knowing its toxicity.
You are so right that the government did not take care of you. I feel your pain and just wish our country could have been there for you then and now.
Terrible to think of what you are going through
Sending strength and love to help you get
Through this terrible terrible time in your life.
Leonie
I first experienced the Mobile Wall in Eastern Oregon in the ‘80s. My heart still goes out to all who were hurt or lost. We held a 48 hour continuous reading of the names in remembrance.
I was on board the USS Cochran’s (DDG21) during the Saigon evacuation of’75. I’ll be praying for and remembering our fellow veterans this Monday. May God bless us all !!
My husband, Jerry L. Kirk, is a Vietnam Vet, he turned 82 in January. He is still alive but not walking anymore. He has Parkinson’s and life is very difficult right now. Don’t know exactly where he was, I think Laos.
Linda, hang in there. it took 4 times to get mine and now am working to get the benefits for my wife. Can be so frustrating. God bless you and your daughter.
I am one of the many who served in Vietnam. I was there from April 1969 through May 1970 in Long Binh, III Corps, with the 18th MP Bde, US Army. I sympathized with the college students who were protesting the war. Their efforts helped bring it to an end. Our efforts there propped up a corrupt regime and did little to dispel the Vietnamese people’s concern with foreign influence in their country’s internal affairs. The Kent State shootings in 1970, the Pentagon Papers, and more helped our political and military leaders realize our efforts in Vietnam were getting us nowhere at great cost in lives lost and broken during a time our economy endured tremendous inflation. We should remember and hold in high regard those who served then and those who continue to serve in different theaters of war on our collective behalf. The sacrifices endured by those who served and those who are still serving are all very real. Thank you to one and all.
Hi John,
Much of what you believe – what I believed because it was what we were told – is not true. A lot has been written about what actually happened, e.g., the ’68 Tet Offensive, but one of the better books on the war, in my opinion, was the relatively short 1977 publication All Quiet On the Eastern Front, a compilation of 14 articles written between 1973 and 1976 by different authors, and edited by former Political Science Dept. Chairman, Marquette University (and former WW II combat pilot), Dr. Anthony T. Bouscaren. The articles focus on crucial places at crucial moments, (including Congress as well as the Paris Accord) providing significant insight as to what happened. Of the 14 articles, the most interesting to me was “The Evacuation of Saigon,” by the U.S. Ambassador to Viet Nam at the time, Graham A. Martin. What a man. What a mess.
Anyway, get a copy of All Quiet On the Eastern Front. As a Viet Nam vet, you’ll find the articles both enlightening and fascinating.
Carl Munson, MSO coastal patrol, Danang to the DMZ, ’68-’69
I was drafted into the Marine Corps at the Los Angeles induction center in May ’68. After advanced training at Pendleton, I traveled from California early November to Camp LeJeune and back in late December ’68 in uniform. I hadn’t heard anything about not to travel in uniform. I never encountered any hateful crowds or individuals. I am surprised to hear stories of such horrible treatment when returning stateside. I served at Force Logistics Command, (supply base) Da Nang from January ’69 to February ’70. I just recently read All Quiet on the Eastern Front. I fully agree with your assessment of the book as being an excellent read regarding so many different aspects of what really happened and the absolute stupidity of the politicians trying to run a war, many of whom were more interested in saving their political careers than actually winning the war. At 72 years old I am extremely fortunate to still have excellent health. Thank you for your service and to all others, and yes, we are all brothers.
Served in Vietnam in 1969 at PhuKat AFB worked in supply but did have a chance to pull guard duty with Security saw things wish I hadn’t To all brothers and sisters who served Welcome home Some gave all All gave some
There are two groups in my opinion, which should be remembered as well:
First, all of the Vietnam vets who have passed or are still suffering from the effects of their exposure to Agent Orange.
Second, as a former Dog Handler with the 981st sentry Dog Company, Central Highlands, 70-71, we must never forget all ( sentry, scout, tracker, etc) K-9s who served with us and in many cases sacrificed their lives so we and others may live. Those remaining at the end of the war were mercifully put down by our Veterinarians.
God bless them all and may we be reunited again in Heaven.
I need someone to sign off on my getting my Purple Heart and Bronze Star from actions in 1966 Vietnam combat while on a repair missioon with the 7th Cav,, I’m 76years old now.
Not on your DD214 ? Find your Service Representative in your area ! He should be able to help you ! I was with 7/17 Air Cav 68/69. Pleiku!
I certainly don’t understand why you haven’t gotten your medals So sorry
Keep trying and believe even if you don’t get them— in your heart you know what you did and so does God.
Leonie
I agree 100 percent with this airmen. I was “boots on ground ” 1968-1969, but if anyone wants a pin please send them mine.
As the widow of a Vietnam Veteran Marine and now married to a Vietnam Veteran Air Force say to each and Everyone of you Vietnam Veterans “ Thank You For Your Service and may God Bless you all for serving and protecting our country “
Its not really funny taken in context, but when we greet one another these days even when we don’t know one another but recognize a hat or a badge or other significant device we say to each other ” Weconle home, Brother!” and we each mean it from the bottom of our collect hearts. I guess its to make up for the times we didn’t get it when we returned from hell.
Welcome Home, Brother! I agree, Brother, I for one don’t give a ‘D’ what branch he or she served with, they are all my Brother or Sisters. I served with A Co./228ASHB/1st Cav Div (AM) ’68-“69 and was proud to have served. Enlisted Dec 20, ’63 and retired Apr 1, ’92 as an E-6.
Served with 3rd NCB from September of 1968 to April of 1970. Our base was located outside DaNang at a place called Red Beach. We were joined by 3rd Marine Recon, 1st Air Cav (Later 101st Airborne took over that base). I am 72 and just now going through PTSD assistance. I am 40 percent medically disabled from my time in Nam. I don’t regret for a moment serving I only wished our government would have been committed to defining what the goal of achievement was and then let us execute that goal, which should have been “to win” but it was not that way and life will go on. Thanks so much for all who served because we really were willing to lay down our lives so others could have the freedoms that we have today because someone laid down theirs for us. Freedom does have a price!
I’m not sure if would really help much, but I would like to see a large number of the anit-war crowd, hippie, Hollywood types, rock stars, prominent members of the media, Weather Underground, SDS, etc. leaders publicly apologize for their actions against military members in the late ’60’s. It not only hurt us some, but it prolonged the war and stymied the fighters when Johnson and McNamara who both believed the inaccuracies of Walter Cronkite and also were intimated by all the anti-war and anti-military protestors. Many lives could have been saved had the military branches been allowed to do our jobs — fight like hell with very few stops and get it over with. All the protestors have blood on their hands.
hear! hear!
We would have won the war and been over sooner if we were allowed to do what we needed to do. We could watch mines being planted in the road around the base camp at night. We were not allowed to fire upon them because there was a village a mile in the background. Next morning someone had to go out and dig up and disarm or explode them. Also we were at afire base near a rubber plantation, told we could not call fire apron the rubber plantation because every tree destroyed the US would have to pay the French ( we were told they owned them) for each tree destroyed. How can you win a war with your hands tied behind your back
I SERVED ON A WEAPONS LOAD CREW ON B 57 CANBERA BOMERS FOR 15 MONTHS IN 1965 AND 1966. BIEN HOA.THEY TREATED US LIKE DIRT WHEN WE CAME BACK.MY LAST ORDER WAS NOT TO WEAR YOUR UNIFORM OF BASE AND MAKE EYE CONTACT WITH ANY CIVILIANS.AS WE LEFT TRAVIS AFB THEY THREW EGGS AT THE BUS.BITTER FOR ALONG TIME BUT THE VA HOSPITAL IN ORLANDO HAS MADE UP FOR ALOT OVER THEYEARS.THEY DO A GREAY JOB. LYNN BAZILE
I served in 1969-1970, 101st airborne, Bien Hoa, Phu Bai. Although I was part of Admin I had to process all those KIA and MIA records. What a waist of precious American lives. All because of politics. Although I am grateful for coming back in one piece, mentally I was not all there. I had PTSD for 3 years and my marriage was badly affected. Because of Agent Orange I developed, prostate cancer, and heart disease and I got 10% disability, (oh whoopee that’s a lot). But I’m not complaining when you compare my brothers who didn’t come back or those with missing limbs or mental problems. That is why I salute and cry for those names on the Vietnam Memorial Wall. I just wish they were honored more back in the 70’s.
As a USMC Vietnam Veteran, in 1970 I was a 0331 – grunt machine gunner. On this day of celebration, only for the Vietnam Vet, I want to thank God for all of my brothers & sisters for serving during this troublesome war which left many Vets, not whole for sure, to still be alive. But, more importantly we must never ever forget those who died and those that still can be captive.(POW’s). God bless all of us. This is not a day of celebration for the politicians who will be coming out of the woodwork for photo propaganda. IGNORE THEM! God bless all of us.
I arrived in country just days before Tet, what a noisy welcome. I returned to boo’s, nasty signs and smelly liquids thrown at my new dress greens. I am proud I served, sad because of all who lost their lives and disheartened by where our country is now. I love my country, God Bless The USA!
I was a 0311with the Marines in 1970. With Lima 3/5. I never forget all the ones that did not come home. So rest in peace my brothers.
I served two tours in Vietnam 1970 & 1971 ( fifty years ago). I was a US Army Medic with the 568 Medical Clearing Co. at LZ Betty just outside Phan Thiet, Vietnam. Our Headquarters was in Cam Rhan Bay and our 2nd platoon was in Ban Me Thuot. I was the Medic on the Dust-Off out of LZ Betty during those years. I may have met some of you Vet’s during project Handcock Gold. Be well my brothers at arms. Have a great National Vietnam War Veterans Day this Monday. I’ll be thinking of you all, Welcome Home!
The government (and this article) counts me as a Vietnam veteran because I served in the army in Germany in 1963 and 1964.
Any kudos and lapel pins should be reserved for those who actually served in country.
I supported the war at the time, although subsequent information made it quite clear we should never have been there.
The Vietnamese only wanted to rid their country of foreigners, be they French, American, Soviet or Chinese. I believed in the Domino Theory and I was wrong with regard to Vietnam.
Nevertheless, it was our government at the time (both parties) that was wrong, not the men and women who served. They should be honored.
EVERYONE that served during the Vietnam War Era should receive the lapel pin. I was one of those that some call “fortunate” because I was sent to Germany in 1972. My job at that time was to assist those soldiers transitioning from the war zone back to “civilian “ life. The men that came through our unit would spend 6-12 months in rehab before going home to the states. Although I didn’t serve in the war zone, I felt the horrors of war from these soldiers every day they were there. I am forever grateful I had that experience. To this day, every time I come across a Veteran, regardless of their rank or branch of service, I THANK THEM FOR THEIR SERVICE! Especially those that came back from Vietnam. All that served during that period were spit on, cursed at, called names such as “baby killers” and left isolated from others in their communities. Those of us that did not go to Vietnam severe an important role in the support of those that did! BTW, THANK YOU FOR SERVING!
The problem, in my opinion, is that the pin implies the displayer was a “Vietnam War Veteran”. You are not a veteran of the Vietnam war if you did not serve there and to display it is untruthful.
It would be fine if it said “Vietnam War Era Veteran”., but to give a war veteran badge to all who served during that period regardless of duty station cheapens it in the eyes of all who were there.
I was in Vietnam in 1968. & 69, I am still disturbed about the number of lost YOUNG lives lost and the fact that we did not win the WAR. I do and always PRAY FOR THE FAMILIES OF THE BRAVE MEN THAT LOST THEIR LIVES.
I also pray for those veterans that were injured.
Paul LaVigne Vietnam 1968
I left sometime there that I can never get back again .I’m sure we all did . I’m still hurt ,and angry.and forever changed . If we hadn’t carried each other we’d have been in vain . The only good thing that came of it was all my brother’s!!!!!!
I also noticed the information about Puerto Rico and it is sad. And I was moved with the fact of so many of the names even though I know these are only the ones I couldn’t find out information on The fact of the number of people that died between 1967 and 70 is astounding and their age at the time is very heartbreaking thank you Vietnam veterans all veterans and people that try to recognize these things
I live and will die with the memories of Vietnam in my heart. I’m often asked “Do I ever think about the war.” and respond with “Yes, I do”. The be told; I think about it every day, and sometimes I cry. I can’t help it and even though I wish I didn’t, I need it. My friends I lost and and even those who hated me for serving my country need it because War is Hell and I don’t want anyone to take it lightly. I’m too old to serve now, but if I’m called i’ll go again.
Ron
U.S. Air Force Veteran
service 1971
As a U.S.Air Force Vietnam Veteran Veteran myself, I do feel your pain. It is a lifetime experience that we will never forget. I thank God for myself and some friends that were blessed to come back home and mourned for those who did not. However, many of my brothers who came home still suffer from injuries, physical and mental, I continue to pray that our nation will never forget their sacrifices.
I’M RETIRED FIRST SARGENT FROM ARMY 22AND HALF YEAR WAS IN VITNAM IN 1968 AND 1969. I’VE NEVER WENT AND LOOK AT THE WALL. I RAN THE BERLIN MEROTHRON WHEN I WAS 40YEARS OLD AND THE WALL WAS STILL UP.
How do I get my Vietnam veterans lapel pin? How do I reinstate my life insurance?
go to the local DAV OFFICE IN your area. go to the DAV.ORG WEBPAGE , fill out the help form and someone will contact you
Soy Veterano de la guerra de Vietnam y quiero mi broche conmemorativo.
Nice lapel pin, but I’ll pass on getting one. I enlisted on my 17th birthday in 1972, and was at U-Tapao, Air Base in Thailand during the evacuation of Saigon, but was never actually in Vietnam. I feel it would be disrespectful to those who served there to wear a pin, or get the license plate I qualify for in my state, just because I was in before March of 1973. I love Vietnam vets, I spent 24 years in the Air Force, and was trained by, and worked with many of them. God bless them all, we can never do enough for them.
none
Vietnam Memorial. I see you are missing 80 photo’s of deceased service members.
I have one of Henry Deutsch, 1965, if it is missing/
Please contact me
For the longest time, I didn’t want to acknowledge that I was a Vietnam veteran. Much less say I was a combat Marine. There was no fanfare or anything. Instead two separate times, if someone had found out I was a Vietnam Veteran, I was called baby killer & spit at.
Things have change a lot since though’s times. But when someone tells me “thank you for your service” I always think to my self, where you when I came home at 20 years old! I know I need to forget about that, but it is still hard.
One last thing, I am proud to have served my country as a Marine & would not change anything.
Thank you for listening to my thoughts.
Thanks Stanley Wilcox,
I was Army but those are the exact memories and feelings that I continue to experience. At one time it was recommended that I not mention that I was a Vietnam vet on a resume.
Stanley,
I’m a Marine wife and lost my dad in Vietnam. I say “thanks for your service” to those guys I meet along the way, and to answer your question “where were they?” I can tell you there are so many of us who NEVER questioned the honor and patriotism and goodness of the Vietnam veteran. It’s just that the narrative was driven by the left, and we never got interviewed and we never had riots or protests. In my case, I was just a kid, even though probably not too much younger than you now! But we were always there and our gratitude is immense. Semper Fi, Stan. It was your courage and sacrifice that inspired my husband to enlist in 1977… don’t ever forget that. You guys are a huge part of the big picture, and it’s difficult to imagine all those you inspired, but you did!!!
Welcome home Marine. You served with Honor and no one can ever take that away. I served in the Army, I had similar experiences but we served when others ran, refused or protested. We did what Americans have done since this country was founded, we did not turn our backs when called to duty. Stay proud of your service, you earned it.
So …. how long does it take VA to care for their Vietnam Veterans. VA was forced to accept the law passed adding 3 more issues from Agent Orange. We are recognizing 46 years ago the end of Vietnam War. Took to 2015 until testing showed additional issues. VA said we have answer soon, ordered more studies, nothing, accepts Congress law with resentment and continues to delay.. VA needs to be held accountable.. this is so disrespectful to these veterans.
Time to get’r done and implement the law.
You know we dying everyday.. do what is right please.
God Bless American
Bob, It must have taken my husband 10 years to get his claim approved! Persistence is the word! We were married 52 years. He passed 2 years ago. Now we come to his survivor benefits. We have a handicapped daughter that was born around a year after his first tour in RVN. He was assured that if he passed, me and our handicapped daughter would
continue receiving our benefit. Thank God, mine continued without a hitch. Our daughter has yet to receive her dependent benefit. She will now for some reason forced to forfeit that first year’s benefit because of time passed. I did not hear one
word from the VA for 14 months after the claim was first submitted. that was to tell me I submitted it wrong! So, she lost
that year’s benefit. VA called me last month to say her newest claim was received and will be put into the system. Well,
the computer put her in as “spouse”. I am not expecting this will mess up my benefit as well as continue the mess on hers.
Just hang in there. They want you to just throw up your hands and quit! God bless and good luck, Linda from Ohio
.
I left a reply for you, but it has been taken down. Guess they didn’t like what I said. Good luck and God Bless…
Stanley/Paul-my response to ‘…thank you for your service…’ is: “…and what service may I thank YOU for?…”.
91B20 (AUS) 1stCav.
The VA acts like they are taking money out of their personal funds to give us vets the care and benefits we were promised. This website is just razor-dazzle so they can tell the politicians they are doing something.
I got prostate cancer; doc said directly caused by Agent Orange; VA. Outright denied my claim!