Photo by Tom Kluzak
Intended to honor the more than three million Americans who served in one of the longest conflicts in America’s war history, Vietnam Veterans Day was created by proclamation of President Barack Obama on March 29, 2012.
Said the president in his proclamation, “Our veterans answered our country’s call and served with honor, and on March 29, 1973, the last of our troops left Vietnam. Yet, in one of the war’s most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected — to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example. We must never let this happen again. Today, we reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us. Half a century after those helicopters swept off the ground and into the annals of history, we pay tribute to the fallen, the missing, the wounded, the millions who served, and the millions more who awaited their return.”
Idyllwild’s Post 800 welcomes resident and visiting vets and their families and all others who wish to honor their service at 4 p.m. Thursday, March 30, at the Legion at 54360 Marian View Drive.
Said President Obama, “I call upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities.”
Dave Fraser, Legion coordinator for the event, said, “When we came back from serving, all our guys ever wanted was a pizza, a beer and a ‘thank you.’” Fraser said the Mountain Quilters of Idyllwild will be on hand to present quilts commemorating Vietnam service. Quilts will be given out through “opportunity” drawings.
