50 Years Since Vietnam
Since the final American combat forces left Vietnam and the last of our POWs were brought home, it has been fifty years. We owe these warriors a great debt of gratitude even after fifty years have passed.
Political discussion and disagreement throughout the War were regrettably diverted toward individuals who had valiantly served our country. As these heroic soldiers returned from Vietnam, they were not greeted as heroes or given the respect they earned for their service, but rather were met with apathy, rage, and hatred. Unfortunately, many were forced to deal alone with their guilt, humiliation, and memories of those who were left behind.
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These unsung warriors went to work, served in government, and were active in their communities after their duty in the war was complete. Veterans of the Vietnam War have now gone on to run Fortune 500 firms, direct Academy Award-winning films, develop a well-known computer programming language, map the human genome, and perform many other remarkable feats. More over 30% of America's veteran population is made up of the nearly 6 million living veterans from the Vietnam War today.
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National Vietnam War Veterans Day, observed on March 29, honors these warriors. You may show your respect for them by attending the Welcome Home Ceremony at the National Veterans Monument and Museum at 10 a.m. ED T. Capt. J. Charles "Charlie" Plumb (USN, Ret.), a naval pilot who was shot down and imprisoned in Vietnam for six years, will give the keynote address. His tale "Who Packs Your Parachute?" is renowned.
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As a grateful Nation, we honor more than 58,000 patriots—their names etched in black granite—who sacrificed all they had and all they would ever know. We draw inspiration from the heroes who suffered unspeakably as prisoners of war, yet who returned home with their heads held high. We pledge to keep faith with those who were wounded and still carry the scars of war, seen and unseen. With more than 1,600 of our service members still among the missing, we pledge as a Nation to do everything in our power to bring these patriots home.
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A nationwide occasion to express gratitude for the sacrifices made by a generation of veterans is the 50th National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Veterans of the Vietnam War, I thank you for your bravery in battle and your dedication to our country both in and out of duty.
Here is an opportunity to do something that will
Impact The Military Community!
"The smallest deed is far greater than the grandest intention."
-John Burrough
SMALL ACTIONS
MAJOR IMPACT
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Say "thank you"! If you personally know a vet, make an effort to simply say "thanks" via call or handwritten note.
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Treat a Veteran to coffee or a meal. You can prepare a few questions about their time in the service.
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Drive a Vet. Whether to a Dr.'s appointment or to pick up prescriptions/groceries, many veterans have trouble making it to their appointments due to disability or other causes.
GET INVOLVED
We created the Kolbe Family Foundation to support causes that we believe to be the most critical and worthy in our society. We annually consider input from family, friends and charity rating publications to review the performance of each of our charitable recipients. We favor organizations that distribute the vast majority of their funds to the stated cause. We then give our support to the best organizations we can find.
