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Vietnam War veterans honored for their service

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Quay Drawdy
  • 7th Bomb Wing Public Affairs
DYESS AIR FORCE BASE, Texas – --  More than 70 Vietnam veterans were presented lapel pins provided by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Sept. 19 at the Dyess Memorial Center.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, founded by presidential proclamation in 2012, is a commemorative program honoring the service, contributions and sacrifices made by the veterans of the Vietnam War.

“We’re holding this ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans,” said Nick Tapie, Veteran’s Center of Abilene team leader. “They weren’t treated like a lot of the Iraq and Afghanistan veterans that are returning. Our goal is to give them that respect.”

Public opinion at the time of the Vietnam War meant that many veterans faced protesters, verbal and psychological abuse when they returned from their tours.

“[Coming home was] terrible,” said Jacky Hinkle, Vietnam veteran. “I thought I would be welcomed like all the World War II veterans, but people didn’t want anything to do with me. They flat ignored me. I was actually ashamed of serving just because of the attitudes of the people at the time. I’m not ashamed anymore, though.”

U.S. Air Force Col. David Benson, 7th Bomb Wing commander, officiated the ceremony and shook the veterans’ hands in honor of their service between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975.

The event was one of many similar ceremonies taking place across the country by the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration that honors not only service members that were on the ground fighting, but all veterans of the Vietnam War.

“If there’s one thing a Vietnam veteran wants to hear, it’s welcome home,” said Hinkle. “Nobody welcomed us when we got back and we needed to be. We’re finally getting it.”

The War Commemoration began with the implementation of the Presidential inaugural event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. It began on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and concludes on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, by Presidential Proclamation.

So far, one million veterans have received recognition for their service, but more than six million are still left to be honored.