by Rees Lloyd, Attorney (Ret)
March 28, 2025
March 29, 2025, is the 52nd Anniversary of the day in 1973 that America terminated the “U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam” — a/k/a the Vietnam War — and the day the last American troops left Vietnam for home.
March 29, 2025, is also National Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, by Act of Congress signed into law by President Donald J. Trump in 2017.
The Vietnam War divided the nation to an extent exceeded only by the Civil War itself.
While more than nine million Americans served when the country called them to defend the nation of South Vietnam from aggression by Communist North Vietnam led by Ho Chi Minh, anti-war demonstrations involved many thousands who condemned not only the war, but those who were sent to fight it.
This condemnation of those who served in Vietnam by those who never served, led to the nation never realizing that many of the American troops engaged in humanitarian acts unprecedented in war.
For that aspect of the Vietnam War, I respectfully refer you to the truth-telling book of Maj. Gen. Patrick Henry Brady, (Ret), Medal Of Honor recipient, Vietnam. He is considered to be America’s most decorated living veteran.
Most recently, Gen. Brady was honored by having the main hall of the new National Medal Of Honor Museum named “Patrick Brady Hall” at the museum’s opening on March 22, 2025 in Arlington, Texas.
As a Medical Evacuation helicopter pilot in Vietnam, Gen. Brady flew over 2,000 combat missions and rescued more than 5,000 wounded— including enemy wounded.
His enlightening book is: Dead Men Flying: Victory In Vietnam. The Legend of ‘Dust Off: America’s Battlefield Angels.”
The Vietnam War was the only war in American history in which those who served and sacrificed in defense of the country were not welcomed home with expressions of thanks for their service.
Instead, many veterans on returning home found themselves the subjects of hate-filled attack, accusations that they were war criminals. Publicly vilified. Shunned in other instances. Even spat upon.
So hate-filled were the anti-war demonstrators that many troops coming home were advised by their officers not to wear their uniforms to avoid verbal attacks, or worse.
More than nine million Americans — many if not a majority of them draftees — served honorably in defense of the nation in the almost twenty years in which the nation was mired in Vietnam, from November, 1955, to April 30, 1975, when Saigon in South Vietnam fell to the Communists of North Vietnam under Ho Chi Minh.
More than 58,000 thousand American troops gave their lives in the Vietnam War. More than 300,000 were wounded. No matter their personal views of the war, they responded when the country called them to serve. In fact and in truth: “All gave some, some gave all.”
Further, it must not be forgotten that while those veterans of Vietnam served —no matter what their personal view might be of the war—so did the Blue Star families who had a loved one in service, especially the Gold Star families who had a loved one killed in service.
While the modern liberal media is likely to ignore or minimize the importance of Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day, it should not be ignored by a grateful nation.
There will be many observances, especially by veterans, at posts of the American Legion, VFW, and other veterans organizations, which welcome the participation of non-veterans in honoring all who honorably served. Go, welcome home the Vietnam Veterans, and their families. And thank them for their service, no matter how belatedly.
FOR GOD AND COUNTRY FOREVER; SURRENDER TO TYRANNY—NEVER!
© 2025 Rees Lloyd – All Rights Reserved
E-Mail Rees Lloyd: ReesLloydLaw@gmail.com
