FORT RILEY, Kan. -- A brief recognition ceremony was held March 29 to commemorate National Vietnam War Veteran's Day at the main exchange.
Close to 30 Vietnam veterans and spouses were present along with Fort Riley Garrison Command Sgt. Major Andrew Bristow II cutting a cake and presenting each veteran with a commemorative pin.
"I'm proud and honored to be cutting a cake for you all," he said. "I'm wearing my 101st (Airborne) patch today."
Bristow said that he served with Company A, 1st Battalion, 327 Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
"As far as I know, that was the only company to have a parade when they came back from the Vietnam War," he said. "That was in San Mateo, California … One thing I realized is, the Vietnam veterans are finally getting the recognition you should have gotten a long time ago. It's taken a long time to get the welcome back from the war like you should have had."
Bristow closed out with his appreciation to the Vietnam Veterans present.
"I just want to thank you for your service," he said. "I admit that I am honored to be here today to cut this cake and spend time with you all. Again, thank you for your service for your country."
After making the initial cut into the cake, Bristow walked up and down the rows of veterans shaking hands and presenting each with the commemorative pin personally.
While some of the veterans present were able to discuss their experiences, others were still unable to talk about their time in Vietnam or of their return without emotion overcoming them.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day was made a recognized annual holiday in 2017 when it was signed into law by President Donald Trump. March 29 is the day the last of the troops were withdrawn in 1973 from the conflict according to www.awarenessdays.com/us/awareness-days-calendar/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-in-the-usa-2018/.
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