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Vietnam Vets Finally Getting Recognition

November 10th, 2014 by Mike Vasilinda

Veterans Day has been a bitter-sweet occasion for many Vietnam ear veterans simply because there were no parades for the soldiers who fought the war many Americans wanted to forget. 40 years after the fall of Saigon, veterans of Southeast Asia are being properly recognized.

Warren Sutton was an aircraft mechanic in Vietnam. “When I first came home and landed in California, I was spit upon” recalls the now retired car mechanic.

His experience was not unlike thousands of others.

This year, Vietnam veterans are being honored through a nationally acclaimed documentary being shown at the FSU Student Veterans Film Festival. Its director is Rory Kennedy, youngest daughter of the late Robert Kennedy.

Abby Kince says its about time Vietnam vets got the recognition they deserve. You know, they made the promise, never gain, and we are owning up to that and stand with them.”

Half a million Vietnam vets call Florida home. For many, the stigma lives on…The state began offering a speciality Vietnam plate in 2012. But it has not become a popular offering. Just one half of one percent of Florida’s Vietnam vets have asked for the plate. The rest have said no, even though there is no extra charge.

Marine General Larry Snowden fought in WWII, Korea, and commanded three thousand troops in Vietnam. While he didn’t face the scorn his men did, he says the recognition of their bravery is long overdue.

“You can dislike a war without disliking the troops, and I think people have finally come to that conclusion.”

Q: What do you think of that?”

“Well, that’s the way it ought to be. When I go to war, I want people to hate the fact that I have to go, but I don’t want them to hate me for going” declares the 93 year old.

One in three of the million and a half vets who call Florida home served in Vietnam.

More than 1500 Floridians lost their life in Vietnam. Their names are memorialized at a memorial on the grounds of the state capitol. ROTC cadets will stand guard at the memorial overnight in honor of those who served.

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