Community commemorates 50th Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day

With winter’s last little bite in the air, veteran soldiers, sailors, airman, and Marines from the Vietnam War and their families and friends gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Day.

“This is an amazing opportunity for all of us, veteran or not, to recognize our Vietnam Veterans, and to welcome them home,” said Vickie Clay, Secretary for the Vietnam Veterans of America Alaska State Council, organized the local Vietnam War Veterans Memorial Day held over the weekend at the Wasilla Veterans’ Wall.

March 29 has been designated by congress as National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day that serves as a symbol pays homage to the final U.S. combat troops that departed from Vietnam on March 29, 1975. This departure marked the end of U.S. involvement in the Vietnam War and the beginning of our soldier's return home.

“For me, it’s giving back,” said Clay, who served in the military from 1974-1978, then had a 13-year break in service before joining the reserves and retiring from the Air National Guard in 2010. For her, gathering a memorial like this was not only a chance to give back but also give the community an opportunity to give them the welcome home they did not receive, pay respects to those who served and thank them for enduring.

“Welcoming them home, for a lot of Vietnam Veterans it will be the first time they have been welcomed home. As true with all veterans, no one can fully understand what they went through and very few talk about it.”

One such Vietnam veteran was choked up when he recalled that he never told friends and family that he had served in Vietnam because of the lack of support from communities.

“When I came back, even to get a job, people didn’t want you,” he said. While he said that he made it through, even though it was tough. “It’s kind of a sad thing, to get welcome to come home many years later. But at least it’s happening.”

Clay recalled how many Americans welcomed home returning service men and women from Vietnam during the turbulent years of the conflict. “We treated them horribly, and the respect for them just wasn’t there. For them, it wasn’t their choice to go, so this, honoring them, is everything.”

One moving highlight during the service was retiring and presenting of a flag to Kandi Rohr, in honor of her father William Lee. Members of the Elks Lodge 1842 Honor Guard provided Colors, retiring the flag, and rendering a 21-gun salute to Rohr.

“I found my dad’s last flag, and I wanted it retired. This was the only thing I could think of, a way to do it,” Rohr said tearfully about how everything came together. “It meant a lot to be here with the guys. They’ve been a big, important part of my life. They’ve been here with me through losing my son, losing my dad. These guys have always been here.”

Marty Grossman, who was a Sergeant in the Army, Special Forces, wrote a speech commemorating the day and what it meant to serve during the Vietnam War (see sidebar).

“I am very proud to be one of you,” he said before reading his speech.

Several wreaths were also presented, including from the Military Order of the Purple Heart, Vietnam Veterans of America, the Mat-Su Veterans Foundation, the AARP, and the American Legion.

“If we do not take the time to acknowledge and show the respect for our military members then we are doing damage than good.” Clay said.