Vietnam Veterans Share Bittersweet Memories as Veterans Day Approaches

During the war, they experienced pride and loyalty, but often returned home to a thankless reception from protesters

Sen. Mark Begich (D-Ala.) (L) delivers several medals to Randy Clifford in 2014 that were awarded to him but were lost when he was flown back to San Francisco from Vietnam after being shot. Photo Courtesy of Randy Clifford

Forty-three years after its conclusion, the Vietnam War remains arguably the most controversial conflict in American history.

To some, the 20-year struggle was a misguided and ill-planned attempt by the United States to meddle in foreign affairs. To others, the war began as a noble American attempt to protect South Vietnam from the communist North, and ended in a shameful betrayal of the South.