A Tribute to Our Vietnam Veterans: Welcome Home
March 29th, 2026 - National Vietnam War Veterans Day
It is a date etched in history; it was 53 years ago , on March 29, 1973, that the last of our combat troops departed Vietnam. While this day was officially established in 2012, the recognition we offer has been earned every single day for over five decades.
The Vietnam War is a story of young patriots from every corner of our nation who answered the call. It is a story of those who braved the line of fire and cast themselves into harm’s way to save a friend.
“I am not a veteran”, but I carry a deep respect for those who are. Over the years, I have sat with my Vietnam Veteran friends, asking questions and truly listening. I’ve heard stories that were happy, some that were heartbreaking, and many that are simply hard to fathom.
When I look back to my high school days, I remember the guys being drafted or enlisting. Most were in their late teens or early twenties, kids with hopes for college, careers, and starting families. In an instant, that future was traded for basic training and a flight to a foreign land.
Arriving in Vietnam was a "system shock." Many of my friends describe the "wall of heat" that hit them the moment the plane doors opened, a heavy, humid air that felt impossible to breathe. It was like landing on another planet. The smells, the language, and the dense "bush" were entirely foreign. There was a haunting fear that no amount of training could truly prepare them for the reality of the jungle.
They lived a life of contrasts: the extreme physical youth of a teenager burdened with the heavy weight of survival. They became "grunts," carrying 70 pounds of gear through 100°F heat, their fatigues constantly damp or rotting from the rain. Within weeks, "the look" set in, weight loss, sun-darkened skin, and that thousand-yard stare.
Life in the bush was an assault on the senses. Sleep was a luxury; the ground couldn't be trusted. Between the booby traps and the constant feeling of being watched, they found the only thing they could truly rely on: The Brotherhood. It wasn't about a cause; it was about the fierce, desperate love for the man standing next to them.
The transition back home was often the hardest part. Unlike the generations before them, these soldiers often returned alone on commercial flights, swapping a foxhole for a suburban street in less than 36 hours. They returned to a public that was often hostile or indifferent to their sacrifice.
So, what does that Vietnam Veteran look like today?
They are a generation seasoned by time and hardened by experience. Now in their 70s and 80s, they carry a quiet, steady strength. You’ll see them wearing their "Second Uniform", the iconic black or olive drab ball cap with the Vietnam Service Ribbon (yellow, red, and green). It’s a silent signal, a way of finding their brothers in a crowd.
Their gaze has mellowed, but they still scan a room when they enter, a lingering habit of situational awareness. Their hands look like they’ve spent a lifetime fixing things, and their skin bears the marks of the elements. Some still wear faded ink on a forearm, an eagle or a unit patch, worn with immense pride.
But the toll of the war is lived daily. They carry invisible scars: the preference for a quiet corner in a restaurant, the startle at a loud firework, the ringing in the ears, and the health battles tied to Agent Orange.
They are the men and women who went into the jungle as teenagers and returned as sages. They are the elders of our warrior class. Because of the hard lessons of Vietnam, America is stronger. You ensured that no veteran would ever again return to America and not be recognized. That is your true legacy.
You are worthy of every praise, every monument, and every memorial. To those of you who returned over 50 years ago and never heard the words you deserved, I say to you now, with a heart full of respect:
“WELCOME HOME, MY DEAR FRIENDS,
WELCOME HOME”
Diane
March 29th, 2026 - National Vietnam War Veterans Day
It is a date etched in history; it was 53 years ago , on March 29, 1973, that the last of our combat troops departed Vietnam. While this day was officially established in 2012, the recognition we offer has been earned every single day for over five decades.
The Vietnam War is a story of young patriots from every corner of our nation who answered the call. It is a story of those who braved the line of fire and cast themselves into harm’s way to save a friend.
“I am not a veteran”, but I carry a deep respect for those who are. Over the years, I have sat with my Vietnam Veteran friends, asking questions and truly listening. I’ve heard stories that were happy, some that were heartbreaking, and many that are simply hard to fathom.
When I look back to my high school days, I remember the guys being drafted or enlisting. Most were in their late teens or early twenties, kids with hopes for college, careers, and starting families. In an instant, that future was traded for basic training and a flight to a foreign land.
Arriving in Vietnam was a "system shock." Many of my friends describe the "wall of heat" that hit them the moment the plane doors opened, a heavy, humid air that felt impossible to breathe. It was like landing on another planet. The smells, the language, and the dense "bush" were entirely foreign. There was a haunting fear that no amount of training could truly prepare them for the reality of the jungle.
They lived a life of contrasts: the extreme physical youth of a teenager burdened with the heavy weight of survival. They became "grunts," carrying 70 pounds of gear through 100°F heat, their fatigues constantly damp or rotting from the rain. Within weeks, "the look" set in, weight loss, sun-darkened skin, and that thousand-yard stare.
Life in the bush was an assault on the senses. Sleep was a luxury; the ground couldn't be trusted. Between the booby traps and the constant feeling of being watched, they found the only thing they could truly rely on: The Brotherhood. It wasn't about a cause; it was about the fierce, desperate love for the man standing next to them.
The transition back home was often the hardest part. Unlike the generations before them, these soldiers often returned alone on commercial flights, swapping a foxhole for a suburban street in less than 36 hours. They returned to a public that was often hostile or indifferent to their sacrifice.
So, what does that Vietnam Veteran look like today?
They are a generation seasoned by time and hardened by experience. Now in their 70s and 80s, they carry a quiet, steady strength. You’ll see them wearing their "Second Uniform", the iconic black or olive drab ball cap with the Vietnam Service Ribbon (yellow, red, and green). It’s a silent signal, a way of finding their brothers in a crowd.
Their gaze has mellowed, but they still scan a room when they enter, a lingering habit of situational awareness. Their hands look like they’ve spent a lifetime fixing things, and their skin bears the marks of the elements. Some still wear faded ink on a forearm, an eagle or a unit patch, worn with immense pride.
But the toll of the war is lived daily. They carry invisible scars: the preference for a quiet corner in a restaurant, the startle at a loud firework, the ringing in the ears, and the health battles tied to Agent Orange.
They are the men and women who went into the jungle as teenagers and returned as sages. They are the elders of our warrior class. Because of the hard lessons of Vietnam, America is stronger. You ensured that no veteran would ever again return to America and not be recognized. That is your true legacy.
You are worthy of every praise, every monument, and every memorial. To those of you who returned over 50 years ago and never heard the words you deserved, I say to you now, with a heart full of respect:
“WELCOME HOME, MY DEAR FRIENDS,
WELCOME HOME”
Diane
Vietnam War Veterans Day - March 29, 2026
Reading City Park
Reading City Park
Due to
Covid 19
the Event
for 2020
has been
canceled
Covid 19
the Event
for 2020
has been
canceled
