On Sept. 8, 2007, I returned to the United States after a six-month deployment in Iraq.
I vividly recall landing at Baltimore-Washington Airport, still in my desert fatigues, exhausted, yet excited to watch the LSU vs. Virginia Tech game later that night.
As I exited the plane, I was met with applause and thanks from the public, a moment I initially took for granted. Years later, while watching Ken Burns’ documentary on the Vietnam War, I grasped the significance of that reception. Unlike Vietnam veterans, who faced hostility upon their return, we were welcomed and appreciated, a change driven by their experiences.
The Vietnam War deeply affected American society, leaving many veterans physically and mentally scarred. Vietnam veterans understood that future service members would return home needing support for issues like PTSD and job placement. The founding principle of the Vietnam Veterans of America, "Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another," has ensured that subsequent service members received the recognition and assistance they lacked.
On March 29, Louisiana finally honored the 885 Louisianans who sacrificed their lives in Vietnam. Among them are Captain Ralph Wayne “Hawkeye” Magee, who was the first Louisianian to lose his life in the war, and First Lieutenant Severo James "Sonny" Primm III, who was the last Louisianan killed, days after the Paris Peace Accords were signed. Both men were Air Force pilots who were killed 12 years apart, and their stories highlight the war's profound impact on families.
Louisiana’s official Vietnam Veteran Memorial stands as a testament to the sacrifices made and the need for recognition of all Vietnam veterans. It serves as a reminder that they should never feel isolated or unappreciated. Their leadership and resilience are needed more than ever in America today.
Thank you to Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter, state Sen. Jeremy Stine and each person who supported the creation of this long-overdue memorial.
To the Vietnam veterans, welcome home!
CHARLTON J. MEGINLEY
secretary, Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs