Vietnam War Vets Finally Get Their Homecoming, A Day in Their Honor

By Nathan Baca, News Channel 3 Reporter
nbaca@kesq.com
26/09/2009

TWENTYNINE PALMS - California is giving Vietnam Veterans their due.
Friday at the Twentynine Palms Marine Base, Governor Schwarzenegger signed a bill creating "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."

"We are gathering this morning to say to our Vietnam Veterans what should have been said a long time ago: Welcome home, welcome home, welcome home," said the governor.

Nearly 6,000 Californians were killed in Vietnam, but for those who came home alive, airport homecomings were often hostile.

Veteran Ralph Ford recalls, "We had to walk past the chain link fence into customs inspection. We were spat on and called all kinds of foul names. This day, today, is long, long overdue."

Signing the document makes California one of a series of states that creates a day especially for Vietnam War education in schools and community centers.

Mixed in the crowd were active-duty Marines connected to these Vietnam War veterans by a common cause. Many have shared the incommunicable experience of war including Yucca Valley's own Assemblyman Paul Cook, a Vietnam Veteran and author of the bill signed by the governor.

"You can get into positions of power and can make a difference. This is one when you get done and we pass so much silly legislation I think, now you can finally say, look at the guys and their families, the tears in their eyes and say you've made a difference. It was all worth it," says Assemblyman Cook.

Actor Jon Voight addressed the crowd. He is pushing for "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" to be signed into law nationwide.

"I was one of those caught up in the hysteria at the end of the 60s. I deeply regret it," Voight said. "I regrettably was part of a rebellion, against the Vietnam War. Not knowing then that the war could have had an entirely different ending at the time. The bloodbath of millions of innocent people in Cambodia and South Vietnam that occurred when our troops were pulled out could have been avoided. We could have won the war."

Assembly Bill 717 designated March 30th ever year as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.