National Vietnam War Memorial Day Ceremony

When military members returned home from the Vietnam War almost 43 years ago, many were met with protest rather than gratitude for their service.

Thursday evening, American Legion Post 392 in Panama City held a ceremony to honor our local Vietnam veterans. “But don’t be bitter about your service because the service of all those who served in that era and in Vietnam was honorable and worthy of admiration from our country”, said Redding.

“What people should do is they shouldn’t associate the war with the warrior, and we as Vietnam vets put our time in for our country and for the American flag same as they did in Korea, World War II World War I and that’s what it’s all about” said Wetzel.

Benton, with the help of her colleagues, presented each of the veterans with a 50 anniversary Vietnam Veteran lapel pin.

He said the events like the Vietnam Veteran’s Day open house give people the chance they need to get these hard feelings off their chest.

“Brotherhood. It don’t happen no more, but if you have somebody that served in combat and risked their life with everybody, it’s a bond that you can’t.that man is tighter than family with me”, says Reeves.

Lynch, a Medal of Honor recipient for his acts of bravery helping wounded comrades on the battlefield, now works as a veterans advocate.

“I didn’t think it was right to avoid a duty to the country we live in”, Strosser said. But we’ve never been good victims.

But on Thursday, veterans proudly wore war memorabilia, reminisced and exchanged stories about serving in the war.

“If we can do something to honor these vets, then that’s what we should do, everybody ought to do”, Whitesell said. Its earnings provided $2.4 billion in dividends to support military morale, welfare and recreation programs over the last 10 years.

Diskin noted the day honors veterans who generations ago were not necessarily given the respect they deserved upon their return from the war in which more than 500,000 USA military personnel served and where 58,200 US servicemen and women lives were lost.

“Our heroes did not get the welcome they deserved when they came back from the Vietnam war”, IDVA Director Erica Jeffries said. That’s why it’s called the land of the free. A procession of public leaders and elected officials took turns thanking those who learned to live without the gratitude of a nation after the war. That’s the way things were.