Welcome home, Vietnam veterans

The first time Jerry Geronimo Martin returned to the United States from duty in Vietnam he was greeted by protesters throwing ice cream and drinks at him, and yelling “baby killer.”

Martin, a Bronze Star recipient, changed out of his uniform between flights to avoid further conflict. When he later reunited with his parents, they asked why he wasn’t wearing it. As he explained what happened, he told them he was “being accused of the atrocities. It wasn’t us.”

A member of The American Legion in Arizona, Martin was among countless Vietnam War veterans who didn’t receive a proper homecoming at the time. But he was among those being celebrated during Welcome Home, a special event May 11 to 13 near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. Officially named Welcome Home! A Nation Honors our Vietnam Veterans and their Families, the event was created to honor Vietnam War veterans and their families 50 years after the war.

Martin served in the 1st Battalion 9th Marines, a Marine Corps infantry battalion. Formed during World War I, the unit sustained an especially high casualty rate during Vietnam, giving it the nickname "The Walking Dead."

As the decades rolled by, Martin has received thanks for his service. “And what I have to say to that is, ‘Everyone who I did this for here at home, regardless of their beliefs, I did it for them. And I would do it again if they would let me."

At the event, American Legion representatives thanked Vietnam veterans, answered questions and provided resources. Veterans of war eras from World War II to modern day stopped by The American Legion's INDYCAR activation display, received some swag items, learned about the Legion’s “Be the One” initiative to reduce veterans suicide and signed their names on a special “Be the One” sign.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, authorized by Congress, was created to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. The group oversees remembrance events in Washington, D.C., such as Vietnam War Veterans Day events and Welcome Home.

Marine Corps veteran Tres Smith is the group’s deputy director.

“What we’ve tried to do is tell the story of Vietnam, not through any slant or agenda, but being able to represent what the Vietnam experience was,” he explained, noting several vendors displayed various artifacts. “What that does is allow the Vietnam veterans to talk about their war experience.”

“I would define success as raising national awareness of the Vietnam story,” said Smith, who recently joined The American Legion. “In addition to the veterans service organizations, we have panels, we have concerts, we have shows, we have discussions that cover the depth and breadth of the Vietnam War. What I want to be able to do is have the next generation experience what the Vietnam War was and walk away with the recognition of what that experience was in the national narrative.”

On the first day of the three-day, 50th anniversary event, Smith could already tell it was having an impact.

“I see Vietnam veterans walking around, smiling, telling stories,” he said. “We put the nation on notice to say we need to recognize our Vietnam veterans.”

The effort was noted by John Piwowar, who served in the Army’s 101st Airborne and saw one year of combat in Vietnam. In September 1970, he went from the jungles of Vietnam to a graduate student class at Penn State.

“This is nice, especially the way we were generally treated after the war,” he said. “The public has finally come around to realize that we just did what we were asked.”

Piwowar was among Vietnam veterans who stopped by The American Legion truck and learned more about the “Be the One” program.

“It’s a shame that veterans have not realized that they need help,” he said. “How do you create awareness? That’s the biggest problem. I think that it is great that The American Legion is making this a priority.”

The “Be the One” campaign hit home for Darrius Finney, who is still serving after joining the Army in 2016 when he was 17. One year ago next month, Finney lost a friend he served with to suicide.

“I think this is awesome,” he said. “Its purpose means a lot to me. It’s great to get these resources out to people and let them know they are never alone in their battles.”

Finney encouraged civilians to play an active role in helping veterans or servicemembers who might be in crisis.

“Just be supportive,” he advised. “It goes a long way to just ask somebody, ‘How’s your day going?’ Or spread some positivity. That might be the thing that gets somebody going through the day.”

For more information, visit www.vietnamwar50th.com.