56th annual Retiree Appreciation Day gives special thanks to Vietnam veterans

By Guv CallahanOctober 17, 2014

56th annual Retiree Appreciation Day gives special thanks to Vietnam veterans
1 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
56th annual Retiree Appreciation Day gives special thanks to Vietnam veterans
2 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL
56th annual Retiree Appreciation Day gives special thanks to Vietnam veterans
3 / 3 Show Caption + Hide Caption – Veterans representing each of the services, from Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall's Retiree Appreciation Day, lay a wreath in honor of all veterans at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Va., Oct. 10, 2014. This y... (Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

United States military retirees gathered at Spates Community Club on the Fort Myer portion of Joint Base Myer Henderson Hall Oct. 10 for the base's 56th annual Retiree Appreciation Day.

The daylong program honored the joint base community's World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan veterans with a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, a luncheon and a keynote speech from retired U.S. Army Maj. Gen. James T. Jackson, former commander of the Military District of Washington.

But a special focus was placed on the more than 50 Vietnam War veterans who attended, as JBM-HH hosted the retirement appreciation day in partnership with the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a 13-year program instated by the federal government to honor and thank those who fought and sacrificed during the conflict in Vietnam.

Jackson and JBM-HH Commander Col. Mike Henderson thanked every retiree in attendance for their service.

"So many of you give of your time, providing selfless contributions, generous support of our programs and our facilities," Henderson said.

Jackson said the officials behind the Vietnam War commemoration project were excited to have JBM-HH as a partner in the quest to honor the millions of people affected by the war.

With 58,000 killed, 77,000 disabled and millions more affected by the 13-year conflict in Vietnam, he said the commemoration's goal would be challenging.

"Our role is to find ways to recognize Vietnam veterans and their families, to reach out as best we can, and to thank them for the service and sacrifices they contributed to the nation," Jackson said during his address.

The day concluded with an address from retired Navy Capt. John Holtzclaw, who told his harrowing story of being shot down over North Vietnam on June 19, 1968.

Holtzclaw and his radar operator were rescued from behind enemy lines by Lt. Clyde Lassen, then a 26-year-old Navy helicopter pilot. Lassen extracted the two aviators and barely made it back to the aircraft carrier, his chopper "running on fumes." He was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions.

"To me it's important that people know of the heroism of what these people were willing to do - not knowing us, never having any idea of what they were facing, but being there on station, ready to do their job when called," Holtzclaw said once he had finished his story.

For more information about the 50th Vietnam War Commemoration, visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.