By Kate Hill
Staff Writer
On Aug. 29, Congressman Anthony Brindisi (NY-22) held a pinning ceremony for Vietnam Era Veterans at the Madison County War Veterans Memorial in Wampsville.
The event honored Central New York veterans who served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces at any time from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, either overseas or stateside.
Brindisi — a member of the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs — presented Department of Defense commemorative pins to more than 60 local veterans.
The pins were authorized by the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act as part of the 50th anniversary of the conflict in Vietnam.
The congressman was joined on the podium by New York National Guard Brigadier General John C. Andonie and local elected officials, including NYS Senator Rachel May, NYS Assemblyman John Salka, Madison County Board of Supervisors Chairman John Becker, Georgetown Town Supervisor Paul Walrod and Madison County Sheriff Todd Hood.
Hamilton Veteran Benson Barrett served as master of ceremonies.
During his speech, Brindisi reported that earlier this year, President Donald Trump signed legislation to deliver access to earned benefits for veterans who served in the territorial waters off the shores of Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange.
Brindisi, who co-sponsored the legislation, said he will continue to fight to ensure that veterans receive the care and benefits they deserve.
“The Blue Water Navy legislation shows that every once in a while both parties can work together and get things done,” Brindisi said. “That’s how Washington should work. Caring for our veterans should not be a partisan issue . . . there is more work to do: improving mental healthcare for veterans, increasing access for rural veterans, supporting job training programs geared towards veterans returning home — these are at the top of the list. Vietnam veterans, and all veterans, sacrificed so much for our country and they deserve to get the benefits they earned.”
Brindisi also said more than 58,000 Americans gave their lives in Vietnam, and that those who made it home were not given the reception they deserved.
“Antiwar sentiment permeated throughout the country and unfortunately, our veterans received the brunt of it,” he said. “We cannot erase the mistakes of our past, but we can seek to rectify them, and that is what we are trying to do here today.”
During his keynote speech, Andonie described the mission and progress of The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration — a national effort, initiated in 2012, to thank and honor 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families who served on active duty in the US Armed Forces during the conflict.
“Your sacrifice, your service is just as important as those who served before you and it’s just as important as those people who are serving now,” Andonie said. “Your participation in the armed forces during the Vietnam War made a difference in our lives and those of our children . . . The US Vietnam War Commemoration is not about commemorating the war, it’s about commemorating service . . . The [lapel pin you will receive] is not intended to replace service or valor awards, it’s merely a token of recognition and gratitude from a grateful nation — recognition and gratitude that, in my opinion, is long, long overdue.”
Since the initiation of the program, 54 states and territories have become actively involved in the commemoration.
May, Salka and Becker also delivered remarks, expressing their gratitude to the veterans and acknowledging the nation’s failure to properly welcome them home.
The ceremony concluded with a remembrance of prisoners of war and service members who are missing in action.
“[The recognition] is better late than never,” said Hamilton veteran Gary Williams, who served as a rifleman in Vietnam from September 1967 to October 1968. “Every little bit helps.”
To learn more about The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, visit vietnamwar50th.com.
