As we enter March, we prepare to recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day set aside to honor the men and women who served during one of the most complex and controversial chapters in our nation’s history.
For me, this is deeply personal.
My father served two tours in Vietnam as a United States Marine. He understood service. He understood sacrifice. And like so many who answered the call, he carried home experiences that would shape him forever. Vietnam veterans bore burdens that were not always visible, and too often were not met with the gratitude they deserved.
That reality has always stayed with me.
At Hero’s Bridge, when we say we are committed to honoring older veterans, we mean all generations but there is something especially sacred about standing beside our Vietnam veterans. They are now in their late 70s and 80s. Many are navigating aging, health challenges, and isolation. And yet, their quiet strength remains unmistakable. It is a strength I have leaned on personally during some very difficult years, a steady reminder of resilience, perspective, and perseverance.
Years ago, we launched the Annual Vietnam 5K as a tribute to every Vietnam-era service member whose story deserves to be remembered and respected.
This year’s medal features the iconic Swift Boat, a powerful symbol of courage and service along Vietnam’s waterways. Those boats carried sailors into unpredictable and dangerous territory, much like the experience many veterans carried home with them.
When participants cross that finish line wearing this medal, they’re not just completing a race. They are carrying forward a promise:
We see you.
We honor you.
We will not forget.
As the month continues, I invite you to take a moment to thank a Vietnam veteran. Listen to a story. Attend a ceremony. Join us at the Vietnam 5K. Or simply say the words that should have always been said:
“Welcome home.”
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