Throughout the nation, March 30, 2011 is observed as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
On March 30, 1973, the United States withdrew all of its troops from Vietnam where more than 58,000 members of the armed forces were killed and more than 300,000 others were wounded. (In 1961 the U.S. began an advisory role to South Vietnam and four years later, U.S. ground combat troops were sent there.)
Do you think the "Welcome Home" events scheduled in Jonesboro and throughout the nation are: welcomed events; should be ignored; too little, too late; totally unnecessary because the observances are opening old wounds; events that should become an annual event; or what? Support your position.
The “Welcome Home” Events for Vietnam Veterans is very necessary. It is unfair for a soldier to lay his life on the line for a country who is not grateful for his return. In fact it is sad to think that it took the United States this long to recognize the vets. The tears running from those soldiers eyes as speaker after speaker saluted them were clear signs that an injustice had been corrected. The look in their eyes as they stood to salute the flag and the tremble in the voices as they recognized those fallen soldiers was a moment that they will remember forever. It is never too late to say thank you and welcome back. In fact, is should be done every year to make up for lost time.
ReplyDeleteThe “Welcome Home” events for the Vietnam Veterans were very necessary. I state this because the troops are always praised to a certain extent on their accomplishments when coming back from war, why is it so hard to acknowledge a large group of men and women who had an even greater impact on the world and where we stand now? Their welcome home was them being spat on and called baby killers rapist etc. Some thanks for men and women who went to war for our country when we were at our worst. Military now days have a greater advantage. They can connect to their families by social networks where the Vets had to literally miss theirs for years and years. And we can’t thank them for that sacrifice? I think its past due. There should have BEEN a holiday for such a successful and great group of men and women.
ReplyDeleteThe “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans’ Day” was truly an amazing time. I know many students had to come to fulfill class assignments, but I hope they heard what was said. Some things that happened that was inspiring was hearing about the respect and patriotism the veterans showed to their country even though their country did not show the respect back. This assembly informed people how those soldiers were as important, and still are as important, as soldiers from the two World Wars. One quote I remember from the event was from Commander Kevin Vines. He said it is not you who defines if you are a hero, it is the people who you serve who decides. I believe everyone in the audience agrees those men and women who served during the war are and will always be heros. As the program ended and the veterans retired the colors, I heard a gentleman singing along with the trumpet and all I could do with smile. All that is left to say is welcome home veterans, welcome home.
ReplyDeleteI believe welcome home veteran events should continue to be recognized. If anything I would say for the Vietnam vets in some cases it is too late as some have passed away without seeing renowned public recognition. I found the event at the Fowler center intriguing and very much owed to our men and women in arms. I am a very anti-war person but I have always believed that even if we should not support war we should definitely support our troops.
ReplyDeleteWelcome Home events for Vietnam veterans should have been happening forty years ago. Instead, the welcome they received then was one of ridicule, false accusations, and humiliation. Although the events are truly too late for some of the veterans, I still believe that it is of the utmost importance to continue to give those Vietnam veterans who are still living the thanks and welcome that has long been due them. Events like the one last night are a good way to honor those men and women who served our country in a time when it wasn't always the most popular thing to do, and I think it is necessary to continue to recognize their service and sacrifices every year.
ReplyDelete“Welcome Home” events for Vietnam Veterans are beyond necessary. I can understand how people think they would be a little “too late”, especially after the welcoming back to the States they got back when the war was over. I couldn’t imagine living through some of the things they did and coming home to people spitting on you and wishing you never came back. How selfish are we as Americans to act like our military is anything but spectacular. The military involves the people who had the guts to go out and make their difference. They wanted to keep us safe. They wanted to make a change by “manning” up and doing what they could. “Welcome Home” events are never “too late”, but always necessary for the men and women who had the courage to stand.
ReplyDeleteI believe that the “Welcome Home” events that took place March 30th, 2011 were totally necessary. They were a little late because honoring these well fought veterans is way overdue. They are strong people who have seen things we can’t even imagine. And they deserve recognition. I do think this should be an annual event. It should become a national holiday, because everyone of us probably has someone in our family, or knows someone who fought in Vietnam and we know it’s hard sometimes for them to talk about, so every year we should recognize the struggles they face every day for helping us and our country. I have many members of my family that fought in Vietnam and they are some of the strongest, bravest, loyalist people that I have ever known and I support them very much and are very thankful for what they have done for me.
ReplyDeleteThe welcome home event is an event that should have been recognized a long time ago. It was an honor to be watch as these men who put their lives at risk for the freedom that we have today. This should be an event that is continued because it plays a major role in our history as Americans. What made the program stand out to me is how well thought out it was from beginning to end
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