National Vietnam War Veterans Day: Local veterans share what the day means to them

SPRINGFIELD — The nation’s Vietnam veterans are honored every year on this date. It was 50 years ago the last of the U.S. troops left Vietnam.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed by then President Donald Trump, designated March 29 as National Vietnam Veterans Day.

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News Center 7′s Xavier Hershovitz spoke with veterans Wednesday about what the day means to them.

Michael Vanderveen enlisted into the Marines on his 18th birthday and served in Vietnam for seven months.

“I was shot, I was hit with a grenade, I got malaria, I got dysentery, and then I stepped on a landmine,” Vanderveen said.

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He lost both legs, and when he came home, it was not the welcome he expected.

“We weren’t welcomed home, in the nicest way. We had things thrown at us. We were called very vile names and it was really unfortunate, not only to the warriors coming home but to the actual fact that these guys risked their lives for a year for the country,” said Vanderveen.

Vietnam War Veteran David Fuchs shared how he likes to honor fellow veterans when he sees them.

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“When you see a soldier and his wife in a restaurant, call the waitress aside and say, ‘give me that guy’s check. I’ve done it. I’ve had people do it for me. I’ve done it myself,” said Fuchs.

The Daughters of The American Revolution are hosting a wreath-laying ceremony Wednesday to honor Vietnam Veterans.

“We should be recognizing all veterans,” Patricia Nowicki Lagonda Chapter Daughters of American Revolution, said.

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By honoring these veterans, Nowicki hopes that ceremonies like this can make up for the not-so-welcome home many veterans like Vanderveen received.

“I hope it heals those feelings that the nation doesn’t care about me, the public didn’t care about me. I hope that people understand that they deserve their welcome home also,” Nowicki said.

Honoring those who are still with us, and the 58,220 that did not make it home, is a loss Vanderveen knows personally.

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“One of my best friends over in Vietnam, Vince Venuti. He was from California. And he was killed just a week before I hit my landmine,” Vanderveen said.

Vanderveen is now the President of the Dayton Chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America and went to Washington D.C., to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

“Vince Manute, his name right there. And the wall is huge. What are the odds? and like I said, when I saw his name, it drove me to tears,” Vanderveen said.

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That is why he says a simple thank you for your service goes a long way.

“It really feels good to have a welcome home or thank you for your service rendered to you. I’m proud of my service. I would do it again,” Vanderveen said.

Those interested can stop by any of the several Vietnam Veterans Memorials today to remember the sacrifices so many made.

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