Mason City, IA- Iowans are honoring those who served in the Vietnam conflict. This is the first official Vietnam Veteran’s Recognition Day in Iowa.
More than 58 thousand Americans died and 300 thousand were wounded during the conflict. It lasted for nearly 15 years before the U.S. withdrew its forces. Several states around the country have declared special days for Vietnam veterans, Iowa is the most recent.
Mason City State Senator Amanda Ragan came up with the resolution to honor Vietnam vets after she attended a public forum. We talked to a local man who served in that conflict, he remembers a cold reception when he returned home from overseas.
Jack Faulkner was 22 years old and fresh out of college when he went off to Vietnam. A scrapbook of black and white photos reminds him of his time spent as a gunner on a helicopter. He says it changed him.
"You just come back being a different person, and hell the airplane ride alone scares the hell out of ya," Faulkner said.
It’s been forty years since Faulkner flew to Vietnam. Unlike those serving in the military today, he and his fellow soldiers weren't well received when they returned home.
“We got off the plane, and you kind of envision something, but there wasn't anybody," he said.
He remembers people giving him grief for serving.
"But that's the kinda thing you ran into, you didn't know if it was friend or foe, so you just kinda stood your ground," he said.
To honor of all those who served in Vietnam, the state senate passed a resolution making May 7, Vietnam Veterans Day.
"Now this maybe will be a way of at least saying thank you, for the people that had service," said Democratic State Senator Amanda Ragan.
She was asked to consider honoring those who served at a public forum. She says the senate debate of the resolution was emotional. Several lawmakers shared their memories of those who served and died.
"What it showed was really the deep feelings that never really got expressed," she said.
Faulkner hopes the day of remembrance will help his fellow veterans cope and realize their sacrifice is appreciated.
"If it gives peace of mind to people that have issues, it was well worthwhile," he said.
The Iowa senate passed the resolution for Vietnam Veterans Day unanimously. April 30, 1975 is the date that the last American forces withdrew from South Vietnam.
Minnesota established its own Vietnam veterans day just this year. They recognize those who served on March 29th.
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