Vietnam Veteran’s Day March 29

Today is a day that many people do not know about.  In fact, I did not know about it until a few years ago.  Today is Vietnam Veteran's Day, always held on March 29.  Why March 29?  On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. troops left South Vietnam.

One out of every ten Americans who served in Vietnam was a casualty.  More than 58 thousand were killed and 304 thousand wounded.  Amputations and crippling wounds were 300% higher than World War II.  Seventy-five thousand Vietnam veterans were severely disabled.

Upon their return to the United States, many Vietnam veterans were treated poorly and with disrespect.  There were no ticker tape parades welcoming them home from the war.  No "thank you", no handshakes.  Many veterans were called names, spit at, denied employment, and harassed.  Some have stated that at no time in the history of our country have veteran's been treated more badly by our own citizens than by the enemy.  Vietnam vets turned to each other for support and formed Vietnam Veterans of America, making a vow "never again will one generation of veterans abandon another".

Vietnam veterans include retired US Army General Colin Powell; Albert Gore; Jesse Ventura; Pat Sajak; Heisman trophy winner Roger Staubach; Federal Express founder Fred Smith; and founder of Vietnam Veterans Memorial, John Scruggs.

KFIL and KVGO salutes all Vietnam veterans on this, Vietnam Veterans Day.  Thank you for your service to our great country.