Reply #24: Thanks so much for this link to Kerry's speech for 20 Ann. of Vietnam Mem.

[Klimmer]

I hadn't seen this site before. Reading Kerry's speech my eyes got misty.

When I was there in 1982 at the original dedication, it was incredibly moving. For a week prior and after, Vietnam veterans were all over Washington D.C., and my unit "The Old Guard" . . .

http://www.mdw.army.mil/oldguard/index2.htm

did many ceremonies in their honor at Ft. Myer and at the Colosseum at Arlington Cemetery. You can see the Honor Guard Co. E, "Color Guard" just above JK in the last image while giving his speech. I was in a different platoon but same Co. E. I will always remember the large parade that the Vietnam Veterans were finally honored with in D.C., that day in '82. It was like the nation finally woke-up and realized these veterans served honorably believing in their country and government. They fought with that belief and commitment, and love of fellow soldiers, even though our government lied. We owe them a great honor and gratitude and it finally happened. Vietnam veterans could finally hold their heads high. They finally got the honor and parade that they always deserved.

Now the veterans of the Iraq war are going through the same turmoil, same pain, same disabilities, same nightmares, same suicides, same divorces --- the same lies are being told from above --- but at least now the nation has learned to honor their duty and direct our anger at the government. So when are we going to take to the streets to end this unholy war?