Veterans mark 50th anniversary of Vietnam War

[yuiyoshida]

Veterans gathered at VA facilities around the country, as well as the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

The Defense and Veterans Affairs departments joined together Tuesday to honor the nearly 9 million Americans who serviced in the Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, as part of the Vietnam War Commemoration. The event marked the 50th anniversary of the war.

“This Commemoration has special significance for those of us at VA because of our honored mission to serve those who have ‘borne the battle,'” said VA Secretary Robert McDonald, during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Veteran Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. “It’s also an opportunity to remember our VA colleagues who served in this generation of Veterans, to extend our heartfelt appreciation to them and to their families who shared the burden of their loved one’s service.”

McDonald was joined at “The Wall” by Defense Secretary Ash Carter.

On Tuesday, more than 329 VA medical centers, national cemeteries and regional benefit offices hosted events as part of the Commemoration.

http://federalnewsradio.com/defense/2016/03/veterans-mark-50th-anniversary-of-vietnam-war/slide/1/

[21st Century Poet]

1. If only we could learn not to repeat past mistakes.

So much wasted blood and treasure. If only America could learn from the Vietnam fiasco. Sometimes I think that that disastrous war taught America nothing.

Great respect for all the soldiers, dead and alive, who fought in that war, though (and who obviously had nothing to do with the political decisions about it).

[jaysunb]

2. 6/6/66 was the day I departed for Vietnam. n/t

[Basic LA]

3. I returned 31AUG67.

I got my discharge in San Francisco, and it was a very welcoming city, luckily. Hats off to all who made it back -- and the many who didn't.