Observance honors Vietnam veterans

19 Mar, 2011
Source: The Macomb Daily

To commemorate the day U.S. combat troops withdrew from South Vietnam — March 30, 1973 — the nation has set another "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day" this year.

It came about through resolution legislation by Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., ranking member of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, to honor Vietnam service members. Burr introduced the measure last year also. Three other senators co-sponsored the resolution and the Senate agreed on it unanimously.

"Our soldiers served honorably and bravely in Vietnam," Burr said. "Unfortunately, they arrived home to a country in political turmoil and never received the recognition they deserve. This day also provides our nation with an important teaching moment. Never again should our men and women serving in the armed forces receive the same treatment as those returning from Vietnam."

The resolution asks states and communities to commemorate the day by honoring their local Vietnam vets in some way.

Veterans of Foreign Wars Bruce Post 1146, at 28404 Jefferson Ave. in St. Clair Shores, will host an open house March 30 for VFW members from any post, and their sponsored guests, to honor Vietnam veterans by welcoming them home. The open house begins at 6 p.m. with a meal in the clubroom. The post also has Lenten fish fries from 5-8 p.m. every Friday before Easter.

The United States became involved in Vietnam because policymakers believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. The U.S. Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961, and sent in ground combat troops in 1965. More than 58,000 service members died and more than 300,000 were wounded.

The military draft helped make it a very unpopular war.

"In turning against the war, many Americans also turned on the American men and women who served honorably in performance of a duty each took an oath to fulfill," said civil rights attorney Rees Lloyd, who is from the American Legion in California and a Vietnam era vet.

"The Vietnam veteran was the first veteran instructed not to wear his or her uniform when returning home. There will be observances in many areas, mostly by veterans. Call your local American Legion post, VFW post or other veterans organization to find out how you can help honor those who deserve to be honored," Lloyd said.