Although we honor the service and courage of our country's veterans on many days throughout the year, this observance is specifically meant for us as citizens, neighbors, and friends, to go back in time and extend as sincere and heartfelt greeting. If you have attended a welcome home gathering at an airport, or as a military member returns to their home after a long tour overseas, you may have noticed individuals wearing their hats or pins or jackets showing they served in Vietnam. These folks are often present to welcome younger active duty service personnel home, because they know the sting of having been ignored, and in many cases, hated, harassed, and shunned. They gather to give others the opportunity to be greeted and thanked, because they know all too well what it felt like when they arrived back on American soil. We will never make that mistake again.
If you didn't hear it then, I'm sorry. We care about you and honor our Vietnam Veterans, always.
Every year at the American Legion, during the ceremony for #WHVVD, I pick up and hold this heavy piece of metal with these words engraved upon it. It has been there each year, placed on a table with memorabilia of all kinds; faded snapshots, coins, magazines, posters, and creased newspaper clippings. I've wanted to know who brought it, and asked around last time but before I could learn who carried it in, the soldier and heavy brass plaque had quietly departed. Perhaps it was a hero who's family presented him with this upon returning home, or maybe it was given by a spouse or grown children in remembrance years later? This piece is so strikingly significant to it's owner who escorts it here each March, and the words speak so eloquently and yet hauntingly to me too.
We have not forgotten you. Thank you Vietnam Veterans - we honor your service this week and always. WELCOME HOME.
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community first • marketing consultant • advocate for small business • lover
of classic cars • beach girl • believer that "together we accomplish more"
