Every Veterans Day, we honor the brave men and women who have defended our freedoms since the American Revolution.
As our large-scale active conflicts have drawn to a close, I have noticed the appreciation people have shown for the men and women returning home. Not every veteran returned to the hero’s welcome they deserved. Unlike the veterans who preceded them, Vietnam veterans often came home to hostility and rejection.
The Vietnam War was fought during a time when America was undergoing pivotal change. The use of the draft proved an extremely controversial policy, especially as the war persisted for almost two decades. Americans also witnessed war on television for the first time. Protests erupted on college campuses, underscoring the depth of anti-war sentiment.
As a decorated combat veteran in the Vietnam War, I saw firsthand the treatment veterans faced upon returning home. I know intimately the risks and sacrifices these soldiers made while fighting for our country. When we came home, however, we were often blamed for the war’s outcome.
The hostile treatment and public backlash Vietnam veterans initially received was inappropriate. In the decades after the war, however, I have been encouraged by how the general public has shifted its attitude and given veterans the recognition they deserve.
Construction of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial on the National Mall served as a critical step toward shifting the public’s collective sentiment. As our country entered the Gulf War, suffered the horrific attacks on Sept. 11, 2001, and subsequently fought the 20-year war on terror, the American public began to acknowledge the sacrifices that every veteran has made for their country. We also have veterans’ groups to thank for working to change public opinion and give Vietnam veterans the support and honor they deserve.
Now, we have a culture that emphasizes thanking all veterans for their service.
From one veteran to another, especially on this Veterans Day, our country owes a debt of gratitude we can never fully repay. I am immensely grateful for the sacrifices every soldier and their families made so that we and future generations can enjoy the peace, prosperity, and freedom they fought to secure. Thank you for your selflessness and courage.
U.S. Rep. Jim Baird, a Republican, represents Indiana’s 4th District.
This article originally appeared on Indianapolis Star: Vietnam veterans once faced hostility. Today, America honors their sacrifice. | Letters
Reporting by Jim Baird / Indianapolis Star
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