Latest news with #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam veterans recognized on National Vietnam War Day
(COLORADO SPRINGS) — Saturday marks the National Vietnam War Veterans Day, and the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 101 invited all who served during the Vietnam War to join them for a special recognition ceremony. On March 29, 1973, the Military Assistance Command in Vietnam was disbanded and the last U.S. combat troops left the Republic of Vietnam, after sending more than two-point-seven million men and women into combat. Saturday marked the 52nd anniversary of that day, many of those veterans are still alive today, and FOX21 was able to hear the story of thirty-one of them on Saturday. 'The reason I am here today is because of my peace,' said one veteran speaking at the event. Emotions were high on Saturday afternoon; the thirty-one veterans who began their day as strangers left with an unbreakable bond. 'I think the most important part for me was because of supply issues, There were times when we couldn't help the wounded because we didn't have bandages or we didn't have blood,' said John Barlett, a Vietnam veteran. He says Saturday's event brought up some hard memories. 'It's stayed with me all these years, I'm 76. For instance, when we ran out of blood and we needed blood for them, that was going to be the only thing that saved them.' He said that was one of the most memorable parts of the war he experienced. The veterans spent the afternoon sharing stories and remembering those who never made it home. 'The next was coming home and for Vietnam vets that was quite tough and we suffered,' said Barlett. Barlett served in the war for one year in 1969. On Saturday his family joined him in support including his granddaughter who has yet to hear his story. 'I haven't communicated enough with her about it. That's a lesson I'll take away from here, we're going to have to work on that a little bit harder,' he said. Another veteran, John Armstrong, served in the Vietnam War with his brother in 1967. 'One of the reasons I signed up both of us up today is because he passed away in 2015,' said Armstrong. At the event, he accepted awards on behalf of his brother. 'He had some alcoholism and drug problems from his time in service,' said Armstrong, referring to his brother. Unlike hero welcomes given to veterans of other wars, many who served in Vietnam did not receive any recognition for their service. 'We learned that lesson in America, it's really important for the veteran coming home. Now, maybe they don't know or understand that because a lot of them don't know what happened to us as vets, they hear stories here and there, but they didn't really know about it,' said Barlett. However, on Saturday the veterans finally received their recognition with a special pin and letters from members of the community. While we honor the veterans who served in the war, thousands of people across the world are victims of Agent Orange. 'The effect it has on veterans, but even more so the effects that it had on the children in Vietnam, some are born without limbs, and some with an extra limb,' said Armstrong. One of those victims is Anderson's nephew, causing his head to grow too fast at a young age. 'My brother's son had that condition when he was one, two years old…. so I'm going to try to get him some help.' He said he plans on giving some of the letters he received today to his nephew, who lost his father in the war. If there was one last thing Anderson could tell his brother, what would it be? 'Welcome home,' he said, crying. 'I don't know if anybody ever told him 'welcome home.' So, welcome home, Bob.' All veterans left the event with one message: never forget, and value the life you have. 'We can fix the scars of Vietnam. We can build this nation back up if we get behind each other, arm in arm, shoulder to shoulder, back to back, and make it work,' said Barlett. If you are a veteran who is struggling, you can click on the link above for resources. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
DuBois VFW hosts luncheon to honor Vietnam veterans
DUBOIS, Pa. (WTAJ) — The DuBois VFW Post 813 hosted a free luncheon for local Vietnam veterans to honor their service. March 29 marks National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which honors over 9 million troops who were sent to South Vietnam to serve our nation. Post 813 wanted to thank them for that service, something those veterans were unfamiliar with. 'It wasn't the award-winning day that World War I, World War II and Korea got,' John Hebner, a machine gunner for the United States Marine Corps from 1968 to 1969, said. 'We were kind of shunned.' The war was highly politicized, garnering negative reactions from the public when soldiers returned home. That prompted those veterans to go undercover. 'If you went downtown, you never wore a uniform, like someone would harass you.' US Navy veteran Jake Rindosh said. 'Someone would say something negative, but then you just try and be low-key about it.' 'They were degraded,' Hebner added. 'They were spit on. They were definitely poisoned with that kind of atmosphere.' In 2017, Congress passed legislation to make the day US troops evacuated South Vietnam into a day of remembrance. This includes those who served on the front lines of duty and those who were prisoners of war or missing in action. DuBois VFW hosts luncheon to honor Vietnam veterans Johnstown doctor sworn into US Naval Reserve Somerset school prepares meals for Bangladeshi refugees Blair County Commissioners table vote for new prison site 'There were a lot of people who died and gave their all during the Vietnam War,' Hebner said. 'And were never recognized. That's what we're trying to do here today.' 'The saying says time heals wounds,' Pennsylvania State Representative Mike Armanini (R-75th) said. 'This is good that now everyone is coming as one and respecting these people which they very well deserve.' Local veterans arrived at the VFW to a spread of kielbasa, sloppy joes, charcuterie and cake. They sat around the lunch tables, sharing stories of their days back in the encampments. Speaking about a topic that was kept quiet for over 50 years proved to be therapeutic. 'For some people to let it out, I mean you just can't talk about the things that happened, the things that you saw and things like that to someone who has never been there,' Hebner added. 'But this gives them the opportunity to talk to somebody who they stood beside, did this and had the same atmosphere.' The luncheon is one step forward from years of silence and degradation, but the veterans now feel they are getting their moment of respect for serving the nation. 'I'm glad that we're finally getting everything to where it should be for them,' Armanini said. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam Vets honored near the 50th anniversary of the end of the war
WICHITA FALLS (KFDX/KJTL)— It's been nearly 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War. To honor the veterans who fought in it, local veteran groups held a commemoration at Lake Wichita Veterans Memorial Plaza to remember and honor those who served. Nearly 50 years after the war many veterans from the Vietnam War have yet to receive a respectful welcome home. On the 50th anniversary of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, Martie James with the Daughters of the American Revolution hopes to fix that. 'It affects not just them, but their families as well,' James said. 'It does the families hearts good to know that their loved one is remembered and their part in serving our country.' Now almost half a century removed from the end of the war and many Vietnam vets having lived their own lives after returning home, James believes the welcome home would have been helpful when adjusting back to civilian life. 'It is tough coming from having to constantly be on alert and worried about protecting yourself and your buddies to coming home to civilian life where we're protected,' James said. Mike Berry like many of his comrades, remembers the reception he got when he first returned home. 'None,' Berry said. 'I got off the airplane in Seattle and walked out into the lobby of the airport, just walked out then went on home.' However, after all the ceremonies and the monuments over the years, Berry believes any ill will toward his welcome home has been smoothed over. Now, he believes preserving the history is what matters most, as many Americans today only know the Vietnam War from history books. 'Very few left of World War II, getting even more thin for Korea, starting to get more and more thin from Vietnam,' Berry said. 'And at some point, in time if things like this are not done, it'll just disappear.' Honoring veterans one ceremony at a time. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
‘It was a pleasure to serve': 13th annual Vietnam Veterans Day held in Huntsville
HUNTSVILLE, Ala. (WHNT) — On Saturday, Vietnam veterans were honored at the Huntsville Madison County Veterans Memorial. March 29 is designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day where Americans unite to honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. It was the same day that in 1973, the US Military Assistance Command Vietnam was disestablished and the last combat troops departed the country. 📲 to stay updated on the go. 📧 to have news sent to your inbox. The day is intended to honor and recognize those who served in the war. Many of whom did not receive a proper welcome home. 'It was a pleasure to serve, I served with a lot of great guys,' Vietnam veteran Charlie Miller said. 'I came back to the States and didn't get the welcome that we thought we should've had but now it's different, our community accepts us for what we did.' Miller spent 30 years in the Army, including 1970-1971 in Vietnam. 'I have 650 members in our chapter and all of those guys fought in Vietnam and they came back and like I said they didn't get the recognition that they deserve,' Miller said. 'Today with our community, the community of Huntsville we getting the recognition that we deserve.' Fellow Vietnam veteran James Henderson spent 26 years in the Army. He said his time in Vietnam where he was the commander of a company with around 200 soldiers was the highlight of his career. 'What a distinction to be trusted to command soldiers in combat and I still think about what a responsibility that was,' Henderson said. 'I did the best I could and took care of the mission and took care of the troops.' Henderson said while he feels that Vietnam troops did not receive the welcome they deserved, he does believe progress has been made since they came home. 'I think our country's done a great job of making up for it so to speak by passing into law Vietnam Veterans Day,' Henderson said. 'We are grateful for that, we are grateful for the opportunity to be here today.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
30-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Longview Lobo Choir honors veterans with performance, medals
LONGVIEW, Texas (KETK) – The Longview Lobo Choir held a ceremony where they sang to local veterans in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Saturday. Remarkable Woman Susan Campbell works to save veteran lives The ceremony was the choir's way of honoring veterans after they couldn't make it out to an event they planned to attend in Hawaii. 'We decided that we still wanted to honor that commitment, to honor the Vietnam veterans,' Longview Lobo Choir director Melody McMullen said. 'So we decided that let's do it locally instead of flying all the way to Hawaii to do it. I'm really glad that we're here doing this because we already have a pretty good turnout. I'm excited to get to, to meet some of these men that fought.' Each veteran who attended the event was given a medal and then turkey legs were served. The event was held from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. in the Longview High School parking lot. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
