Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

[Flametamer]

March 29 is Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day

National Vietnam War Veterans Day recognizes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War.

President Donald J. Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 on March 28, 2017 to officially recognize March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The act encourages the display of the U.S. flag each year on March 29th.

The last combat troops were withdrawn on March 29th, 1973 from Vietnam.

[Flametamer]

From Mission BBQ:

For those who answered the call when their country needed them, who bravely fought in foreign lands, we all sincerely say "Welcome Home."

All Vietnam Veterans get a FREE Sandwich on National Vietnam War Veterans Day

If you’re among those who served during Vietnam, or if you know someone who has, please mark your calendars. Stop in any MISSION BBQ on March 29th and bring your Vietnam Veteran Hero. We hope to see you next week!

[Henry88]

Glad you guys got your own day. Along with Korean Vets, you never got the recognition for the heroism and courage that you displayed.

[cooperhawk]

Yeah, I'm glad we get our day, problem is only about 30% of us are still alive. That's from the VA. Less than six per cent of the population have served. That's rather surprising to me.

When I went over in 65 I was already considered the old man in the unit. I was 24 at the time. That means that most of those that served were younger than me. What happened?

[Redthies]

It’s great that there is some more recognition for Nam Vets. We see a lot of homeless vets in our travels, and I always try to give them some cash, or something to help. We met Jim (pictured below) in south eastern Arizona about 10 years ago. He lived in a tent with his 3 dachshund puppies. He had to ride a bike with trailer for the dogs 2 hours round trip to the nearest town for groceries. We left him with a 40 lb bag of dog food and our hopes that he made out ok.

[markiver54]

Wonderful for the day of much deserved recognition! My heart goes out to those who paid the ultimate price, and their families as well! Also, bless those who survived and are still with us...Thank you!!!!

[GunnyGene]

Yeah, I'm glad we get our day, problem is only about 30% of us are still alive. That's from the VA. Less than six per cent of the population have served. That's rather surprising to me.

When I went over in 65 I was already considered the old man in the unit. I was 24 at the time. That means that most of those that served were younger than me. What happened?

Where were you stationed in Nam? I flew into DaNang in early Nov '65 and back to the world in late Dec '66.

[cooperhawk]

Yeah, I'm glad we get our day, problem is only about 30% of us are still alive. That's from the VA. Less than six per cent of the population have served. That's rather surprising to me.

When I went over in 65 I was already considered the old man in the unit. I was 24 at the time. That means that most of those that served were younger than me. What happened?

Where were you stationed in Nam? I flew into DaNang in early Nov '65 and back to the world in late Dec '66.

I was down south in Vung Tao when it was just a small outpost. We had 300 Americans and 65 Aussies when I got there. All aviation types. Before I left they were building an R&R Center. I understand they put in concrete runways and all. I spent many weeks TDY around the country. I was TDY to Plieku during the Ia Drang thing. That was something else.

[GunnyGene]

Yeah, I'm glad we get our day, problem is only about 30% of us are still alive. That's from the VA. Less than six per cent of the population have served. That's rather surprising to me.

When I went over in 65 I was already considered the old man in the unit. I was 24 at the time. That means that most of those that served were younger than me. What happened?

Where were you stationed in Nam? I flew into DaNang in early Nov '65 and back to the world in late Dec '66.

I was down south in Vung Tao when it was just a small outpost. We had 300 Americans and 65 Aussies when I got there. All aviation types. Before I left they were building an R&R Center. I understand they put in concrete runways and all. I spent many weeks TDY around the country. I was TDY to Plieku during the Ia Drang thing. That was something else.

Thanks. We flew aerial recon and ECM up north, including up to Hanoi and west into Laos/Cambodia. Spotting targets/map making, and providing ECM for airstrikes by USAF and Navy/Marine attack planes. Also, some of us put our grunt hats on and spent time in bunkers along the wire and perimeter patrols. Lost a couple pilots in our squadron. Fairly regular incoming mortar and small arms fire - usually around 0100. Such a fun place.

But we did have China Beach - which was nothing like the TV show. I got to spend a day there once. Ok, if you didn't mind the sharks - water and land based.

[cooperhawk]

I was in MACV, (Military Assistance Command). We were Special Ops, Special Forces, Advisors, and their support groups. I was in a support group, 330th Trans Co. We flew and maintained the Air Craft that belonged to MACV. I was a General Support Aircraft Repairman. We also did some Depot work. We did travel around the country a bit working on aircraft with their units. The second half of my tour I spent mostly doing the final check of aircraft that we had rebuilt, and then flying with the test pilots prior to returning the aircraft to their units.

I was in Pleiku because some of the MACV gun ships had flight problems and two of us volunteered to go up there and work them out, but that's a story in itself. Mel Gibson made a movie about the battle, (We Were Soldiers), from the book (We were Soldiers Once and Young) by Col. Hal Moore. We were not in the Ia Drang valley, but we were not too far away.

[markiver54]

Gunny and Cooper; very interesting accounts from both of you. Have always been intrigued by info from the Viet Nam war! I was a HS graduate the year it all ended.

[GunnyGene]

Gunny and Cooper; very interesting accounts from both of you. Have always been intrigued by info from the Viet Nam war! I was a HS graduate the year it all ended.

These were the aircraft we flew (VMCJ-1). The EF10B (ECM), formerly a straight wing Korean War night fighter (F3D) converted to ECM. A couple of our older pilots had flown these in the Korean war and shot down a couple Migs. And the supersonic RF8B Crusader (Aerial Photography). One of our birds held the US Coast to Coast speed record for a couple years just before we deployed to DaNang.

We were relieved in Dec '66 by our sister squadron (VMCJ-3) which came over with the new EA6A Intruders, and RF4 photo planes.



Where we lived:



What we did when not keeping the birds flying:



You probably didn't know this tidbit (very few people do), but Ed McMahon flew one our Crusaders once a month when we were in MCAS El Toro to get his required Reserve monthly flt hours in. Got to strap him in a couple times. Heck of a nice guy and a good pilot.

[markiver54]

Thank you so much for the pics. I know it was long after, however, when I lived in California, from about 1988 to 1992 was about 1/2 mile from El Toro base. Out of my office window, right across the street was the Tustin hanger base. Was hard to keep my mind on work with the sound of freedom flying over all day. I loved it though. That was about the time of Desert Storm. I will always applaud our military. Wish I was younger at the time to stand beside our soldiers! G-bless you guys!

[Flametamer]

Here's a little something from AAFES for those who served in Nam...

http://publicaffairs-sme.com/ExchangePo ... eremonies/

[cooperhawk]

Everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975,

regardless of location

, will receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during ceremonies planned throughout the day, March 29.

Kinda makes it not mean much.

[markiver54]

Everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975,

regardless of location

, will receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during ceremonies planned throughout the day, March 29.

Kinda makes it not mean much.

Maybe I missed something, but I agree, I thought it was Nam specific.

[GunnyGene]

Everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975,

regardless of location

, will receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during ceremonies planned throughout the day, March 29.

Kinda makes it not mean much.

True dat. I've got enough fruit salad and scars from that unpleasantness - don't need some pin.

[cooperhawk]

Here's the whole paragraph. Just another attendance award for nothing.

Everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, will receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during ceremonies planned throughout the day, March 29.

[markiver54]

I've known Nam vets like yourselves.You deserve much more attention and focus!! I did not serve, however, this is a sensitive issue to me!

[GunnyGene]

Here's the whole paragraph. Just another attendance award for nothing.

Everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, will receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin at their local Exchange during ceremonies planned throughout the day, March 29.

Doesn't even come up to the level of a grade school participation trophy.