Latest news with #VietnamWall
American Press
4 hours ago
- Health
- American Press
Vietnam vets impacted by Agent Orange given new recognition
Applications are now open for Vietnam veterans eligible to receive an Agent Orange Medal. A special pinning ceremony will be held 4-6 p.m., Wednesday, Nov. 5 4-6 p.m. as part of Agent Orange Awareness Day at the Vietnam Wall display in Kinder. The names of medal recipients will be read during the ceremony, and those in attendance will be pinned. Valarie Trahan, of the Allen Parish Tourism Commission, said the medal and ceremony aims to recognize veterans who were exposed to, affected by and continue to suffer from the effects of Agent Orange, a herbicide and defoliant used during the Vietnam War. 'We want the medal and the ceremony to be our way of letting these veterans know they were not forgotten because this was a tragedy for our veterans,' Trahan said, noting that many veterans are still suffering from the side effects of being exposed to Agent Orange. 'Hopefully this will help heal their heart and somehow let them know they are not forgotten.' There are 18 medically acceptable conditions for the medal, including amyloidosis, non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma, prostate cancer, Parkinson's seaside, respirator cancers, multiple myeloma, hypertension. Applications for Agent Orange Medal are being accepted through Aug. 25. Applications are available at the Allen Parish Tourist Commission Office on U.S. 165 in Oberlin or by calling the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868. Over 60 applications have been received so far. The American Veterans Traveling Tribute, a replica of the national memorial in Washington, D.C. will be on display Nov. 3-7 next to the Inn at Coushatta on U.S. 165 in Kinder. This eight-foot-high, 360-long-foot wall serves as a powerful tribute to those who served in the Vietnam War and the more than 58,000 who lost their lives, according to Allen Parish Tourism Director Adagria Haddock. 'These men and women gave their all and for the ones who survived, this will be a welcome home,' Haddock said. 'This is our time to honor and love them and show them the respect they deserve.' Special crosses will also be on display to honor Allen Parish soldiers who died in the war. The wall will be escorted from I-10 along U.S. 165 to Kinder at 10 a.m. Sunday, Nov. 2, by a motorcade of police and emergency vehicles, motorcycles, and vintage cars. Local Vietnam veteran and Coushatta of Louisiana tribal member Lovelin Poncho will serve as grand marshal. The wall will officially open at 10 a.m. Monday, Nov. 3 with a ceremony and will remain open to the public 24 hours a day through 10 p.m. Friday, Nov. 7. The exhibit will also feature the Cost of Freedom Wall, a 72-panel exhibit listing all wars, including the 9/11 attacks and the names of fallen soldiers. A Vietnam War museum will also be on display. Daily ceremonies will include guest speakers, wreath laying and other presentations, a Farewell to Soldiers ceremony, candlelight vigil and sounding of Taps each evening. A special Nightingale ceremony will be held at 6 p.. on Thursday, Nov. 6 to honor nurses who served during the war. For more information, to volunteer or to make donations, contact the Tourism Commission at 337-639-4868.
Yahoo
05-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam Wall, flag displays returning Memorial Day weekend to Spring Canyon Community Park
A traveling Vietnam Wall and Field of Honor will both be on display Memorial Day weekend at Fort Collins' Spring Canyon Community Park. The traveling Vietnam Wall, sponsored by Veterans Plaza of Northern Colorado, pays tribute to the 58,267 service members who died during the Vietnam War from 1957 through 1975. The traveling Vietnam Wall will be on display at the park from May 22-26, with a ceremony and reading of the names planned from noon to 2 p.m. May 25, according to a news release from the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Foundation. The Field of Honor is a panorama of 500 American flags that fly in formation in honor of the nation's heroes: veterans, active military, first responders, medical workers, community leaders and personal heroes, the news release said. The display is set up by the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Foundation and will be available for public viewing from 3 p.m. May 23 to 3 p.m. May 26. Short essays written by Poudre School District third and fourth graders about their heroes will be available to read in binders at the Field of Honor, the news release said, with the three winning essays of a contest highlighted near the Rotary booth. Individuals wishing to honor a hero with a medallion on a flag at the Field of Honor may do so online at Funds raised through medallion sales, community supporters and donations go to the Fort Collins Breakfast Rotary Foundation to support local nonprofits that provide services to veterans and first responders as well as other nonprofits and service projects undertaken by the foundation, the news release said. Coloradoan reporter Kelly Lyell can be reached at KellyLyell@ Follow him on and This article originally appeared on Fort Collins Coloradoan: Memorial Day displays returning to Spring Canyon Community Park
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Vietnam War veterans share unique bond through continued struggles
ST. LOUIS – Vietnam War veterans Ray Walls, Tom Bommarito, and Rich Cremer share a unique bond forged by their experiences during the conflict, despite having never met until recently. The three veterans, who served during the Vietnam War, continue to grapple with the lasting impact of their service—PTSD triggered by helicopters and the smell of diesel. 'I wish we three could instantly tell the world about our experiences, but we can't, it's impossible,' Tom Bommarito said, reflecting on the challenges of sharing their wartime stories. Ray Walls, who volunteered for service at the age of 17, was awarded the Silver Star for valor during his time in Vietnam from 1965 to 1967. Despite assurances from a recruiter that enlisting would keep him from being sent to Vietnam, he found himself in the thick of the conflict. Jon Hamm opens up about rehab and redemption after 'Mad Men' Tom Bommarito enlisted and earned the Bronze Star for valor, notably calling in an artillery strike on his own position as the Vietcong advanced. His actions exemplify the extreme measures taken by soldiers in desperate situations. Rich Cremer, drafted as a medic, carries the names of 28 veterans he couldn't save, memorialized on the Vietnam Wall in Washington, D.C. His experiences underscore the heavy burden carried by those tasked with saving lives in war. All three veterans were wounded in action and received Purple Hearts, returning home to a country that was often unwelcoming to Vietnam veterans. Their shared experiences highlight the ongoing struggle for recognition and healing. As these veterans continue to heal from the scars of war, they emphasize the importance of welcoming home those who served, a sentiment echoed by Ray Walls: 'Just welcome them home, that's all they ever want.' All facts from this article were gathered by KTVI journalists. This article was converted into this format with assistance from artificial intelligence. It has been edited and approved by KTVI staff. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
09-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Calling All Vietnam Vets: Your Time Is Now
It's almost time for North Country Honor Flight to fire up the jets. The program has been flying veterans from around the region to Washington, D.C. for over a decade. Since 2013, roughly 900 veterans have taken the free trip to visit the memorials at the nation's capital. North Country Honor Flight's executive officer, Jerika Manning said, they fly from Plattsburgh, NY to Washington, D.C. to visit the Airforce Memorial, Marine Memorial, WWII Memorial, the Vietnam Wall and the changing of the guard. The average WWII vet is just over 100-years-old. The average Korean War vet is mid-80s to early-90s. Manning said they are seeing less of those veterans as they get older. The next big group to focus on is the Vietnam War vets. 'When Honor Flight started, it was organized in a large part by Vietnam veterans who were serving the WWII veterans, and the Korean War veterans. They never thought it was their time,' said Manning. 'There never became a time where we really focused on asking the Vietnam veterans to apply and letting them know and reminding them that they have more than earned and deserve this trip, but that it's their time to start applying now. One of those Veterans, Greg Lee, served in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969. He said that's when the war took the most casualties. Lee signed up at just 16-years-old, after he said he lied to get in. That decision, according to Lee, is something he's never regretted. He said some veterans have a hard time dealing with the whole subject though. 'A lot of these guys, I know them personally. A lot of them feel that they don't deserve to go, for whatever reason,' said Lee. 'Some of it might have to do with the treatment we got when we came home. Vietnam veterans weren't very welcomed.' Lee admitted he had avoided seeing the Vietnam Wall for several years. It wasn't until 2 years ago that his buddies at North Country Honor Flight made the decision for him. 'A lot of the folks in Honor Flight decided I was going, so I went. I wish I had done it 10 years before that,' said Lee. 'It was a healing process.' Lee said anybody can visit the memorials, but the experience of going with a group of fellow Vietnam veterans is unlike anything else. He urges any and all Vietnam veterans to get an application, sign up and go. 'You'll be glad you did,' said Lee. Applications are available at North Country Honor Flight's website here. Manning said there is plenty of room for any vet that wants to go. The entire trip, including food and drinks, is free. The first flight of the season is May 17, 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
25-03-2025
- General
- CBS News
National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington now open to the public
The National Medal of Honor Museum in Arlington is now open to the public. The Medal of Honor is our nation's highest honor for valor in combat. Close to 200 people lined up outside the museum, waiting for the doors to open at 10 a.m. Many of the visitors were veterans, some coming from as far as Alabama and Colorado. Seeing a permanent home for the stories of the Medal of Honor recipients brought up a lot of emotions. "I have 105 guys' names on the Vietnam Wall that were in my company. Two of them are Medal of Honor recipients," said Richard Grady, an Army veteran from Plano. He brought a bus of 75 veterans from Collin County to Arlington to experience the museum. "So for them coming out here, it's different than coming out to a ballgame, different than coming out to a football game, a sporting event or a concert," he said. "This is a very humbling experience… This is a very sacred place for veterans, very sacred place for the military and the United States." Since the Civil War, about 40 million Americans have served in the U.S. Armed Forces. Less than 4,000 of them have received the Medal of Honor. Charlie Garza, a Navy veteran from Grand Prairie, met one of the recipients, Commander Eugene Fluckey, 25 years ago. Seeing his name on display, along with the stories of all the other servicemembers who went far beyond the call of duty, moved Garza. "It means that for the first time in my lifetime, we're truly starting to recognize the courage and the honor and the commitment necessary to defend this great nation of ours," he said. Garza hopes it helps the next generation understand the true cost of the freedom we enjoy today. Shoshana Adams, nine years old, said she learned a lot. "A lot about history and how a lot of people sacrificed themselves to save lives," she said. Both of her parents served in the Air Force. They brought the entire family out for the museum's opening. "We always want to teach our children about the sacrifices others have made and why we chose to serve," said Ann Adams, an Air Force veteran from Midlothian. By honoring and preserving the courage of military servicemembers past and present, we ensure that never forget the sacrifices they made. "Just come out here," said Grady. "Take the time. Look at the stories. Watch the videos." This week, admission is free for veterans. Tickets start at $30.
