Vietnam veterans’ homecoming overdue
Charlotte’s celebration is one of several happening across the country in conjunction with this year’s anniversary of the U.S. troop withdrawal from Vietnam.
On Thursday, President Barack Obama declared March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. In his proclamation, he reframed the difficult and divisive war in terms that many will understand: “The Vietnam War… is a story of Americans from every corner of our nation who left the warmth of family to serve the country they loved. It is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm’s way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear.”
He also took note what he called “one of the war’s most profound tragedies”: “Many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected – to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us.”
Those words should echo as the country tackles the issues also facing veterans returning home from our current wars – the one that just ended in Iraq and the one continuing in Afghanistan. Those men and women are returning home with daunting physical and emotional needs, and challenges to finding employment.
We took far too long to begin honoring the service and addressing the needs of Vietnam vets. We should not make that mistake again with another generation.
Still, it’s never too late to rectify an error. The Vietnam vets more than deserve the “welcome home” Saturday’s festivities offer – even if it is tardy by some 40 years.
Read more here: http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2012/03/29/3137378/vietnam-veterans-homecoming-overdue.html#storylink=cpy
http://maddowblog.msnbc.msn.com/_news/2012/03/30/10947730-details-of-tucsons-welcome-home-veterans-parade
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