01-05-2025
Vietnam War veterans recall drastic shift in recognition since Fall of Saigon
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – 50 years ago, the Vietnam War came to an end with the Fall of Saigon, where many soldiers faced backlash during their return, but since then, a drastic shift in veteran recognition has taken place.
70 years ago conflict between the communist government of North Vietnam and South Vietnam led the United States armed forces to intervene, and nearly 3 million American soldiers went to combat.
Air Force veteran David Applewhite recalled the moment he decided to serve his country. 'One of my best friends, I had grown up with. In February, after he had served one month in Vietnam, he was killed, Lieutenant Danny Gilstrap,' said Applewhite. 'I went to his funeral in February here in Kilgore and in May I joined.'
Sadly, 2.7 million people were killed during warfare and of that number, more than 58,000 were American men and women who served in the United States military. Of the thousands of casualties, five were individuals who attended Kilgore High School.
'There's a certain amount of guilt to the fact that I came home at all. Why he had to go or why she had to go and I didn't,' Air Force veteran Stan Wiley said. Wiley continued by stating that you never know why it is always the people who have the most to lose that never return.
Those who were lucky to return home in the 70s were resented by many for losing the war. American citizens were divided by the politics that occurred during the Vietnam era and that led to soldiers facing backlash and criticism as they set foot back on American soil.
Keith Rothra, a United States Navy veteran, expressed the experience of many U.S. servicemen and women. Rothra said, 'People were spitting on Vietnam veterans, people were throwing ugly things at them.'
50 years later, the recognition of Vietnam War veterans has changed. Many are acknowledged via the Honor Flight Network, through multiple memorials across the nation, and servicemen now say they are now gladly welcomed home by their community members.
'I took my lawn mower over to my lawn mower man's house one day, and he was going to repair my lawn mower. His fourteen-year-old son came out, stuck his hand out and said 'Welcome home, sir' and of course, I lost it,' said Applewhite.
After decades of change in the public perception, one sentiment never wavered among the men: they will always be proud to have served their country.
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