Vets in Carson City gather Saturday for national Vietnam Veterans Day

More than 200 veterans from the Vietnam War gathered Saturday at the Carson Nugget to pay tribute to each other, those who died and those who remain missing in action as part of national Vietnam Veterans Day.

This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Tonkin Gulf Resolution. Many consider the resolution the official start of the Vietnam war, though many Americans were fighting and dying in Vietnam beginning in the mid 1950s. It also marks the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam.

The recognition event had been scheduled to be at Mills Park with support team vehicles, the Cactus Air Force Cobra aircraft, helicopters and last for much of the afternoon with a reception at the Nugget. However, the windy, blustery conditions Saturday forced the change to the Nugget.

Rick Arnold, President of the Carson City Area Chapter 388 of the Vietnam Veterans of America, welcomed the veterans noting even the best laid plans are subject to the weather.

"Eisenhower was able to change the D-Day landing by one day. Unfortunately I did not have that power," he said.

"It would have been fitting to hold this ceremony at Mills Park near the Nevada Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The memorial was placed by members of Chapter 388 and contains the names of all 151 men who enlisted from Nevada and were killed in the war," said Arnold.

Mills Park was the site of the traveling Vietnam memorial wall brought to Nevada in October 2012.

"Bringing the 'Wall' here was a powerful reminder of the war. It was an opportunity for the community to experience first-hand the sacrifices we made 50 years ago, said Arnold. The wall also provided "opportunity for healing and some measure of closure for Vietnam vets and their families," Arnold concluded.

Carson City Mayor Bob Crowell addressed the veterans in the room with his own memories of the war and the lessons that have been learned since. Crowell, a veteran of the Vietnam war, is a retired Navy Captain where he served on active and reserve duty from 1967 to 1990.

Here is Crowell's speech:

Today marks the 40th anniversary of the withdrawal of combat troops from Vietnam, but for many of us, indeed I suspect for all of us, one way or another, it does not mark the end of the memories and scars both mental and physical from that war.

Some 3,403,100 men and women served in Vietnam and the Southeast Asia theater of war. Of those, 7,484 were women.

As of this month, of those 3,403,100 warriors, 58,300 paid the ultimate sacrifice for their country and their names are now carved on the Vietnam Memorial Wall.

303,704 of our fellow servicemen and women were wounded in action with 75,000 being severely disabled. Some 2,336 of our brothers and sisters remain missing in action and 1,875 remain unaccounted for.

It is important to remember that the memories and scars from that war are not born solely by those who served but by those who kept the home fires burning — families, relatives — both near and extended, friends and in many instances entire communities.

17,539 servicemen and women named on the Wall were married leaving families and friends to carry their memories from that war. 16,465 of those killed in action were younger than 20 years of age.

That is the price of war.

That is the price of freedom.

On this day I am reminded of a recent memory when the Traveling Vietnam Memorial Wall came to our community. The outpouring of the community support was truly heartwarming to all of us.

I served as a small part of the Wall Honor Guard and I will always remember — always remember — retrieving the gifts and memories left at the wall for safekeeping and replacement the next day. During my watch, our chapter president, Rick Arnold, came up to me with an envelope that contained a Silver Star and the note "I don't known if you even got yours, but you can have mine."

The tears came to our eyes. To this day it is difficult if not impossible to think of that solemn event without tearing up — it says so much not only about the pain of that war but also also the camaraderie and friendship of fellow warriors — the pride we rightly carry for going in harm's way for our country, our families, our friends and our democracy.

This 40th anniversary is a day where each of us in our unique way and in our own thoughts – reflect on that war — and hopefully it is yet another day of healing for many.

As the nation grows older and those who served in World War II rapidly decline, those who served in Korea and Vietnam are taking the place of the next generation of post World War II warriors. it is a mantle we should proudly accept.

It is our duty as that next generation to join with those who have and now are serving in reminding our fellow citizens to never forget those who did the heavy lifting so that others may enjoy the fruits of the most wonderful county on earth — the fruit of freedom.

It is our duty as the next generation to remind our fellow citizens to never forget those who are prisoners of war, those who are missing in action and those who are unaccounted for.

It is our duty as the next generation to remind our fellow citizen of the toll that war takes on our military men and women and their families in both mind and body.

It is our duty as the next generation to ensure that our veterans receive the proper care for their wounds and scars.

It is our duty as the next generation to remind all that freedom is not free and that while each of us may have different opinions on war — that we must never differ in our common national appreciation of those we send in harm's way.

Thank you for giving me the honor of sharing some thoughts on this day of remembrance. Welcome Home.