For those who didn't know today is Vietnam Veterans Day. Welcome home you all deserve the respect you didn't get 40 years ago.

SPC Charles Brown — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:04:34 -0400

God bless these fine men and women, many of whom have their names written on a wall in Washington DC.

Response by Col Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 3:06 PM

Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 15:06:32 -0400

Welcome home indeed... much respect to our outstanding Vietnam Veterans!

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 29 at 2014 4:03 PM

PO1 William "Chip" Nagel — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 16:03:49 -0400

Probably one of the Greatest Influencers on my decision to Join, Korean War Train Engineer turned Vietnam Medevac Helo Pilot. Quiet, Big Hearted Saint Name of Joe Bauer.

Response by CH (CPT) Heather Davis made Mar 29 at 2014 4:29 PM

CH (CPT) Heather Davis — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 16:29:00 -0400

<h2><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/vietnam_35_years_later.html"><u><font color="#0066cc">Vietnam, 35 years later</font></u></a></h2><span class="blogText bigText"><div class="bpBody">Last Friday, April 30th, was the 35th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War, and last Tuesday, May 4th, was the 40th anniversary of the shooting of protesting students at Kent State University. The Vietnam War and America's involvement in it affected the lives of millions for well over a decade, exacting a massive human cost with millions of deaths and countless injuries - both physical and mental - that plague many of those involved to this day. United States military involvement and troop strength grew rapidly after 1964 - at its highest level in 1968, with over 500,000 troops on the ground. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. now bears the engraved names of 58,267 of those troops. It's nearly impossible to encapsulate an event of such scale in a handful of photographs, but here, 35 years after the end of the conflict, is my attempt. (<a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/vietnam_35_years_later.html"><strong><u><font size="3">47 photos total</font></u></strong></a>)</div></span><div class="pta-link-card"><div class="pta-link-card-picture"><img src="http://inapcache.boston.com/universal/site_graphics/blogs/bigpicture/archive/145707.jpg"></div><div class="pta-link-card-content"><div class="pta-link-card-title"><a href="http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/05/vietnam_35_years_later.html" target="_blank">Vietnam, 35 years later</a></div><div class="pta-link-card-description">Last Friday, April 30th, was the 35th anniversary of the Fall of Saigon and the end of the Vietnam War, and last Tuesday, May 4th, was the 40th anniversary of the shooting of protesting students at Ke...</div></div><div style="clear: both;"></div><div class="pta-box-hide"><i class="icon-remove"></i></div></div>

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 5:24 PM

CPT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 17:24:15 -0400

Nothing but my utmost gratitude and respect.  Welcome home and God Bless.  All the Way!

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 6:06 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 18:06:08 -0400

And we are losing these heroes at a rapid pace.   My DAD too was in Vietnam and other SE Asian countries.   Below is a picture or two of him.

Response by Cpl Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 29 at 2014 7:13 PM

Cpl Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:13:16 -0400

Awesome, just awesome

Response by SSG V. Michelle Woods made Mar 29 at 2014 7:54 PM

SSG V. Michelle Woods — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 19:54:44 -0400

<div>So there I was with four years in and getting pressured to go to my SSG board. I called up my VFW battle buddy bestie and expressed my concerns that I wasn't ready. </div><div><br></div><div>Mr. Richard Jacobs, infantry Vietnam veteran who served with the 18th Infantry Regiment, told me this "when I was 20 I took over as platoon sergeant because I was the highest ranking NCO left in our platoon. You'll pick it up as you go and you'll do just fine". </div><div><br></div><div>Thanks to all the Vietnam veterans who fought so hard then and fight now to ensure we never receive the homecoming they did. </div>

Response by SFC Steven Harvey made Mar 29 at 2014 9:35 PM

SFC Steven Harvey — Sat, 29 Mar 2014 21:35:36 -0400

My dad did two tours over there as a 11B and later an MP. He used to wake up with cold sweats, screaming, choking my mom, and was an avid drinker for years following his ETS. It took him almost a decade to get over those, yet his scars obviously remain.

He ultimately is the one who made me enlist. He made a comment to me when I had just turned 17:

"Boy the best thing I ever did in my life was join the Army, the worst thing I ever did was get out"

It was a staggering comment knowing his past troubles. The hell he went through and hardship he faced when coming back. What was it about this organization that lead him to say such a thing?

My grandfather used to tell grand stories about the Great War, his involvement and sacrifices. My dad never said a word, and to this day even after my multiple times in combat he will not talk about the things he saw or went through.

The Vietnam veterans are a special kind of Americans. They fought a war they weren't allowed to win, were spit on and abandoned by their own country and yet they all fly the flag high with a deep pride that only they will only truly ever know.

To my father and all the men and women who served in Vietnam I salute you. Keep flying the POW flags, you and your brothers will never be forgotten.

Response by SSG William Patton made Mar 30 at 2014 4:39 PM

SSG William Patton — Sun, 30 Mar 2014 16:39:31 -0400

Many of us were treated badly when we returned, to say the least. So bad in fact, that many could not wait to get out of the uniforms they wore so proudly, myself included. Walking through SEA/TAC in my dress greens with my ribbons displayed was a proud moment, until the name calling began and it was not stop in every airport I changed planes in, until I arrived home. By that time, I was not ashamed, but disappointed to tears, that my countrymen reacted to us that way. We did our duty, won every major battle, and had to suffer because the politicos and liberals sold us down the river. We were blamed by many for losing the war. I heard it over and over from members of my VFW who served in WWII and finally, let my membership lapse because I was tired of hearing about my generation being the first to lose a foreign war. While the day is appreciated, it comes far to late to remove the hurt felt by me and many of my brothers who served in the Nam. But, it is a start and at some point, we must start to forgive.

Response by SGT Don Hebert made Apr 2 at 2014 4:10 PM

SGT Don Hebert — Wed, 02 Apr 2014 16:10:33 -0400

I try not to think about all my brothers who are gone. I am so glad to see today's soldiers get the recognition we never got. All we got was name calling that wasn't exactly flattering. I still remember the day I was discharged, dropped off at the bus station and then you were on your own. How many others got a dear john letter while serving. It is tough to think of the good things that happened and still no recognition today except from other servicemen from past to present. Once a soldier always a soldier.