Wednesday was the 50th anniversary of the last U-S combat troops leaving Vietnam and Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen marked the occasion by proclaiming it as Vietnam War Veterans Day with a ceremony in the Capitol.
Joining Pillen, state Veterans Director John Hilgert, and Major General Daryl Bohac – adjutant general of the Nebraska National Guard – were over 100 Vietnam veterans.
While not mentioning the horrible treatment of some returning soldiers by anti-war protestors, Pillen told the veterans present that he and the nation hold them in esteem today for their sacrifices.
Pillen, who was in high school when the pullout, recounted how he and his hometown were affected by the death of one local soldier and the wounding of another.
The governor said that “Meeting with Nebraska veterans to thank them for their service is so important (because) Nebraska has built a reputation of caring for our veterans, military service members, and their families”
Each of the veterans and surviving spouses of deceased Vietnam veterans present was presented with a special lapel pin that Pillen said was full of meaning.
The lapel pins and materials were provided as part of the U-S Vietnam War Commemoration, a national initiative of federal, state, and local communities, veterans’ organizations, and other nongovernmental organizations.
Its purpose is to assist in thanking and honoring our nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families. The Nebraska Dept of Veterans Affairs is an official partner.