Welcome Home: Vietnam Vets

Brief History

Forty-one years ago, on March 29, 1973, the United States ended its military involvement in Vietnam. A total of 58,282 American
soldiers lost their lives and another 303,644 Americans were
physically wounded, with countless others coming home with deep
mental wounds that still haunt them to this day.

Why after all these years?

Depending on your age you may be
scratching your head as to why we would welcome someone home after 51 years (January 12, 1962 Operation Chopper took place and marked
our first combat mission against the Viet-Cong).

The reason for a homecoming now is because unlike the Veterans of past wars, such as the
Korean War, WWII, WWI etc. who were given a heroes welcome, those
returning from Vietnam came home to protests, folks spitting on them,
calling them baby killers and other horrible things.

On top of the public’s horrible treatment it was recently shared with me by a ‘Nam Vet that he was not even welcome among his
brothers at the American Legion who shamed him because he and his
fellow soldiers “lost” the war. Imagine not even being welcomed
by your brothers in arms. This treatment by the public and fellow
Vets left a deep emotional scar on many ‘Nam Vets.

Fast forward to 1991 and the end of the
Gulf War. The men and women of that conflict were welcomed home with
open arms and parades, which was great as we did not repeat the
history of Vietnam. But to the ‘Nam Vets it reopened the wound of
their unwelcome homecoming. My father, who served 2 combat tours in ‘Nam
(66-68), was a ball of emotions, happy for the returning heroes receiving a proper welcome home and at the same time hurt as it brought up bad memories of his homecoming.

More years went by, still with no
welcome home by the public or the White house.

Finally an official Welcome Home

After 49 years and 7 presidents the day finally came for the White House to recognize & welcome home all ‘Nam Vets.

Thank you to President Barack Obama for
his official Proclamation on March 29^th 2012, declaring
that day forever more as Vietnam Veterans Day.

Many communities have
functions planned to Welcome Home the ‘Nam vets each year on the 29th. Please check your
local listings and participate if you can.

Final Thought

If there is one piece you take away
from this blog I hope it is this: If you have a ‘Nam Vet in your
family, circle of friends or just a stranger you bump into; grasp
their hand for a firm hand shake, look them in the eye and give a
heart felt Welcome Home. It will mean the world to them.

In Memoriam

Arnold J. Kauppinen, 1946-2008