Vietnam vets day

Saturday, April 12, 2008

It happened on March 29, 1973.

That was the date when the last American ground troops were withdrawn from the Vietnam War.

Now, 35 years later, support is emerging in about two dozen U.S. states, including New York, to designate March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day. On that day each year, the Americans who fought in the Southeast Asia conflict would be honored for their service -- a tribute the war-weary United States didn't extend to them back then.

Honoring our citizen-soldiers from that era gone by -- they are vets who are now in their early 50s or older -- is the right thing for New Yorkers to do.

"The veterans who served bravely in Vietnam were not properly recognized upon their return, a mistreatment that represents a shameful chapter in our history," said Staten Island state Sen. Andrew Lanza.

His bill to officially commemorate March 29 was passed a few days ago by the Senate in Albany.

The legislation is sponsored by North Shore Democrat Matthew Titone in the Assembly, where it has been referred to the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Killed in the Vietnam War were 82 Staten Islanders and two others went missing in action. They are among the 4,120 people from the state of New York who are listed as having died in the conflict.

The Vietnam Memorial Wall in Washington lists 58,256 U.S. deaths.

Citing the lack of recognition for the over 2.5 million Americans who fought in Vietnam, Mr. Lanza said Vietnam Veterans Day here could heal old wounds

"This is a way for New York state to rewrite that wrong and properly memorialize our gratitude for their service and sacrifice," the senator said.

Large-scale U.S. military involvement in South Vietnam began in the early 1960s and turned into the longest war in American history. Widespread use of the draft along with relentless casualties led to a loss of popular faith -- amid demonstrations from coast to coast -- that finally caused Washington to withdraw our troops. By 1975, the government of South Vietnam fell to the communists who controlled North Vietnam.

"American soldiers fought in Vietnam with honor, distinction and heroism," said Mr. Lanza about what our veterans did. "Despite their military victories on the field, the war was ultimately lost because of the lack of political and popular support back home."

When the March 29 anniversary bill was introduced in Albany last fall, Mr. Titone said: "I am grateful to have the opportunity to honor our Vietnam veterans with this legislation, and hope that it will serve to remind each of us of the great sacrifices made by the men and women of New York state who served our country proudly at such a difficult time."

Both Mr. Lanza and Mr. Titone -- along with another Islander -- deserve credit for their support of Vietnam Veterans Day. The idea for the New York bill was suggested to Mr. Lanza by a member from the Staten Island chapter of the Vietnam Veterans of America.

"I want to thank Lester Modelowitz [Specialist Fourth Class, U.S. Army] who served in Vietnam, and all of Staten Island's Vietnam veterans for their service and leadership with respect to bringing this legislation forward," said Mr. Lanza after the Senate gave its OK.

This year, Tennessee and Minnesota became the first two states to observe March 29 as Vietnam Veterans Day in honor of the living and the dead.

For New York to join them, would be fitting.