25th Anniversary of the Dedication of the
Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
On Aug. 4, 1964, the Pentagon announced that an attack by North Vietnamese PT boats had occurred in the Tonkin Gulf. In response, President Lyndon Johnson ordered air strikes against North Vietnam. Like dominos, the countries of Southeast Asia would fall if communism went unopposed, government leaders said. They warned that the fate of the free world was at stake. Young Americans were told it was their duty to defend their country. Millions of them answered the call. Their average age was 19 years.
Before long the conflict divided the nation. General William Westmoreland assured the country that there was "light at the end of the tunnel." "Body counts" were offered as proof that America was winning the war.
Ten years later America lost the war. There was never any light at the end of the tunnel, enemy dead were replaced by new recruits, the Southeast-Asian dominos never fell and the free world survived without a scratch. By the war's end 58,256 American men and women had lost their lives, and decades later it was learned that the facts of the Gulf of Tonkin incident, as reported bt the National Security Agency, were distorted to justify America's entry into the war.
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, Fay and Frank came to Washington, D.C. to join other veterans who served during that war, to honor each other's service, and to pay respects to those who never came home. "We're all still alive!" — (Unnamed veteran at parade's end.)
National Mall — Parade Assembly Area
Looking toward the Washington Monument.
Looking toward the Capitol Building
California Delegates of Vietnam Veterans of America —Army, Air Force, Navy, and Marines.
The Landau Family's Delegate
Fay is really into navy men.
Stepping off onto 7th Street.
Delegates from Arizona lead the way.
"God Hates America — Thank God for dead soldiers."
In a classic example of pearls cast before swine, self-described "Christians" attempt to mar the day. Using their right to free speech to express their hatred for "fags," they piously insult veterans of the very armed services that safeguard that right .
Marching down Constitution Avenue
Constitution Avenue, both sides lined with crowds from 7th Street to Virginia and 18th.
The National Archives
One-time infantrymen — On the march, one more time.
Red, White, and Blue
Thousands of veterans marched. The parade began at 11:15 A.M.
The last element reached 18th Avenue by 2:15 P.M.
Passing the Washington Monument
Proud Vets
Enough to break one's heart.
American Allies
Real Americans
A First Rate Parade
Marching bands and pretty girls
November 11th
Veterans Day
The Wall
Remembering
"If you are able, save for them a place inside of you and save one backward glance
when you are leaving for the places they can no longer go.
Be not ashamed to say you loved them, though you may or may not have always.
Take what they have taught you with their dying and keep it with your own.
And in that time when men decide and feel safe to call the war insane,
take one moment to embrace those gentle heroes you left behind".
Major Michael Davis O'Donnell
1 January 1970
Dak To, Vietnam
Listed KIA February 7, 1978
What can you say?
World War II War Monument
Memorial to the Greatest Generation