News Staff
Thursday, April 4, 2024
In observance of National Vietnam War Veteran’s Day, retired US Army Sergeant Major Leonard Sternadel raises his Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) commemorative flag in the front yard of his La Grange home. Sternadel was drafted in 1969 at age 19 and spent combat time in both Cambodia and Vietnam. In 2017, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was signed into law by President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. On that day in 1973, the last combat troops departed Vietnam. More than 58,000 US service members lost their lives during the Vietnam War, and since then, thousands more have lost their lives because of the war. Locally, Ammannsville VVA Chapter 870, of which Sternadel is a member, hosted the first annual gathering of five south Texas VVA chapters in 2022; in addition to the local chapter, members from the Columbus, Hallettsville, Victoria, and El Campo chapters spent an afternoon of camaraderie, reflection, friendship, and socializing. Last year’s event was hosted by the Columbus chapter, and this year El Campo will host. Because March 29 fell on Good Friday this year, the event was held April 3, at the Taiton Community Center.