Do you know someone who served in a combat zone or in support of the Vietnam War?
I do. Meet my dad, Ralph. He was career active duty Navy, starting off as an enlisted Sailor and later became a pilot after the Navy sent him to complete his college degree. This is him in December, 2019 in Tacoma, Washington showing off his new hat with a pin of every aircraft he flew.
Think he loved flying? You bet, he did!
This naval aviator flew many missions off air craft careers during the war. We were lucky – he was only deployed six months.
Others weren’t so lucky.
Today, (and everyday) is the day to thank our Vietnam Veterans for their incredible sacrifices. We also need to ask their forgiveness. Many Vietnam Veterans still struggle with the aftermath of the treatment they recieved when they came home.
Each year, on March 29, we celebrate National Vietnam War Veterans Day. It’s a U.S. holiday that recognizes Veterans who served in the U.S. military during the Vietnam War. To learn more about this holiday, click here.
It is different than Veterans Day, the day we honor everyone who’s served in the armed forces.
Please take a moment to watch this moving 2.5 minute video: “A Moment of Truth.” Click here.
I served the best I could?
Did you know?
The American War Library estimates that approximately 610,000 Americans who served on land in Vietnam or in the air over Vietnam between 1954 and 1975 are alive today. And approximately 164,000 Americans who served at sea in Vietnam waters are alive today.
- 2,594,000 personnel served within the borders of South Vietnam (Jan. 1, 1965 – March 28, 1973). Another 50,000 men served in Vietnam between 1960 and 1964.
- Of the 2.6 million, between 1-1.6 million (40-60%) either fought in combat, provided close support or were at least fairly regularly exposed to enemy attack
- 58,000 are memorialized on a black granite wall in our Nation’s capital.
- 304,000 were wounded.
- 7,484 women (6,250 or 83.5% were nurses) served in Vietnam.
- Vietnam Veterans are dying at the rate of 390 deaths each day.
The Vietnam Service Ribbon commemorates Military Service in the Republic of Vietnam between 1965 and 1973. The colors of red and yellow are suggested by the flag of Vietnam and the green border denotes the jungle.
These beads are highly meaningful to Vietnam Veterans, exclusively made by and presented to one other.
Not sure how to thank a Vietnam Veteran today, or any day?
Might I suggest:
- Thank them for their service!!
- Tell them how sorry you are for how they were treated.
- Buy them a drink or lunch.
- Visit a local memorial.
- Volunteer to help organize events.
- Support a Veteran’s organization in your community. Volunteer and offer your skills.
- Become a commemorative partner of the…
The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration. To learn more, Click here
Need a Speaker? Questions? Contact Kathy@VanguardVeteran.com or (270) 945-7286. Click here to subscribe to Vanguard Veteran’s monthly newsletter.Join the Nation…thank a Vietnam veteran!
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