Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day

March 29, is Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day. It is a day that I believe should receive more recognition than it does.

They were told to fight a war that was not a popular war. The average age of a soldier in World War 2 was 26. These guys were just kids that went to Vietnam – 18, 19 years old.

I recently decided to do a documentary on Local Vietnam Veterans, this was a passion project for me because my father is a Vietnam Veteran. I found local veterans and interviewed them about their experiences over seas.

Most veterans whom I talked to did not want to be on film. They did, however, want to talk to somebody. When I started to talk to these veterans I saw a sense of relief in their faces, a sense of, “Finally, I can tell my story.”

When World War 2 ended the veterans were praised and hailed as heroes. There were ticker tape parades and dancing in the streets. Vietnam Veterans did not receive a ticker tape parade. Some got home and vowed to never speak of what happened.

So this is why I feel it is important to talk to a Vietnam Veteran not only talk to them but listen and hear what they have to say, cause all they want to be is remembered.

This March 29, when you see a Vietnam Veteran tell them “Thank You!” For those interested and want to see my documentary, the title is “Breaking The Silence.”

I am currently working on a second one with more local veterans. Go to Google.com and type in “Breaking The Silence FINAL Vimeo” and there it is. It is the first one that pops up and look for my name.

So please thank a Vietnam Veteran, not only on March 29, but whenever you can. As one of my interviewees stated “You can call the other generation the greatest generation, but these guys did their job, and they did it with heart!”