WASHINGTON—The Vietnam Wall was a center for remembrance yesterday. War veterans and civilians gathered at the Vietnam War Memorial, Constitution Gardens on Nov. 11 for a ceremony to honor the healthy and wounded survivors of the Vietnam war and to remember the 58,267 documented American servicemen and women who died in the Vietnam War, whose names are etched on the Vietnam War Memorial Wall.
“To our men and women in uniform, please know that today and every day we are aware of what you do for our country , we know that there are personal costs, we know that the blessings that we enjoy are safeguarded by unselfish and tireless effort, and we may say to you: thank you, thank you, thank you, “ said Michael Heisley, founder of the Heico Companies, board member of the Heisley Family Foundation, in his keynote address.
In attendance were Vietnam veterans, many of whom wore jackets with patches to signify their service. American Goldstar Wives and American Goldstar Mothers were present to remember their husbands and sons who died in war.
Heisley shared the story of the a childhood friend who was captured and executed during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. “ I mourn my friend to this day, but I also celebrate all the things about him that made him special, his belief in God was strong, his love of America and his commitment to West Points’ code of duty, honor and country gave him the strength to face the horrors of capture with bravery and calm,” said Heisley.
Lt. Col. Connie Shultz, Vietnam nurse veteran, spoke to represent the women who served in Vietnam. “I stand here today to honor all of the 1.8 million women who have served their country and those that continue to serve,” said Shultz.
“Being a veteran is not only about dying for our country or serving a war torn land, the value of a veteran should be measured not in where we serve, but how. There will always be eras, measures of time significant to military events that we celebrate as veterans,” said Shultz, Vietnam veteran and Nurse Surveyor with the Joint Commission.
The invocation was delivered by Chaplain Lt. Col. Jay S. Johns of the Military District of Washington. Kera O’Bryan sang a spirited rendition of America the Beautiful.
“To our men and women in uniform, please know that today and every day we are aware of what you do for our country , we know that there are personal costs, we know that the blessings that we enjoy are safeguarded by unselfish and tireless effort, and we may say to you: thank you, thank you, thank you, “ said Michael Heisley, founder of the Heico Companies, board member of the Heisley Family Foundation, in his keynote address.
In attendance were Vietnam veterans, many of whom wore jackets with patches to signify their service. American Goldstar Wives and American Goldstar Mothers were present to remember their husbands and sons who died in war.
Heisley shared the story of the a childhood friend who was captured and executed during his second tour of duty in Vietnam. “ I mourn my friend to this day, but I also celebrate all the things about him that made him special, his belief in God was strong, his love of America and his commitment to West Points’ code of duty, honor and country gave him the strength to face the horrors of capture with bravery and calm,” said Heisley.
Lt. Col. Connie Shultz, Vietnam nurse veteran, spoke to represent the women who served in Vietnam. “I stand here today to honor all of the 1.8 million women who have served their country and those that continue to serve,” said Shultz.
“Being a veteran is not only about dying for our country or serving a war torn land, the value of a veteran should be measured not in where we serve, but how. There will always be eras, measures of time significant to military events that we celebrate as veterans,” said Shultz, Vietnam veteran and Nurse Surveyor with the Joint Commission.
The invocation was delivered by Chaplain Lt. Col. Jay S. Johns of the Military District of Washington. Kera O’Bryan sang a spirited rendition of America the Beautiful.
