Politics

Vietnam veterans finally get their own day on March 29

Vietnam1They went to war, fought for us, bled for us, died for us.  When they came home, they were spit on and treated worse than dirt.  That’s right, I’m talking about those who served in the Vietnam War.

Finally, after 50 long years, they’re getting their own day, according to the VA:

As part of the 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War, VA and 29 states and territories are commemorating the anniversary of the final withdrawal of U.S. troops from Vietnam with a day of appreciation celebrated on March 29.

More than 40 years after the war, many Veterans continued to feel the effects of their service. Some battled with Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others fought illnesses caused by their exposure to Agent Orange and other chemical defoliants sprayed during the Vietnam War.

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The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) believes their fight should be honored.

One of those who served is my good friend Jack Cunningham, who continues to fight not only PTSD, but a legal system in New Jersey that seems to be doing all it can to deny him justice.

He wrote a poem, called “Dear Vietnam Veteran,” and you can see it below, or visit his website to hear it.

I know I should have written much sooner.

I can’t say why I did not. Out of fear of admitting to myself you were there fighting a war. Or maybe ashamed; ashamed that I never accepted the things you felt you had to do.

Whatever it is, I know it must hurt.

Believe me when I say it hurts me more. I have the burden of your hurt plus that of my own; the pain of not being able to show my true feeling toward you.

I am not writing this for the months you served in Vietnam, but for the many years, you were left alone with only your brother Veterans. You served proudly and it went unmentioned.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to express the words. The words an honorable Veteran needs to hear.

For a long time, I’ve wanted to hold you during your times of pain.

God knows I wanted to.

And only He knows why I never found the courage. I do not remember what I used to say; maybe I do not want to remember.

All I know is I hope that it is not too late to give you those things now.

For years, you tried to be part of my world. Doing everything to please me, just to be noticed and given a little time and understanding.

I look back and see the demands I placed on your shoulders when you were young. “Fight your weakness, and always show strength to others around you.”

Who was I to make such a demand?

I sit here with tears in my heart, finally admitting to myself the one weakness you must have seen in me and never questioned.

My inability to say the words that I know would have meant so much to you.

“Welcome Home.”

You served your country honorably.

Please hear these words now, from my heart. Please give me a chance to be part of your world now. The world I should have been part of long ago.

Love,
America

Thanks, Jack, for your service and all you’ve done for your country.  And thanks go out to all those who served during that God-awful war.  You’re finally getting your day, and it’s about damn time.

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Joe Newby

A 10-year veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, Joe ran for a city council position in Riverside, Calif., in 1991 and managed successful campaigns for the Idaho state legislature. Co-author of "Banned: How Facebook enables militant Islamic jihad," Joe wrote for Examiner.com from 2010 until it closed in 2016 and his work has been published at Newsbusters, Spokane Faith and Values and other sites. He now runs the Conservative Firing Line.

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