The South Boston group of those that served in Vietnam got here collectively Sunday for an annual custom, gathering for the forty fourth rededication of one of many U.S.’s first formal memorial to the Vietnam veterans.
“Back in 1981, it wasn’t fashionable to be a Vietnam veteran, and certainly wasn’t fashionable to build memorials to those who died in Vietnam,” mentioned Tom Lyons, a Marine veteran who served throughout the battle and arranged the South Boston memorial. “I think we helped change the the attitude, if you will. It put a spotlight on Vietnam veterans in a different way; people saw them in a different light, one of honor. And by continuing to hold these yearly celebrations, it continues to create a positive image of those of us who served and sacrificed in Vietnam all these years later.”
The South Boston Vietnam Memorial in Medal of Honor Park, based 13 years earlier than the nationwide Vietnam memorial in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 13, 1981, lists the 25 names of veterans from the neighborhood who died within the battle.
The ceremony kicked off at 10:30 a.m. Sunday, beginning with a memorial mass at St. Brigid Church earlier than strolling throughout to the park. About 30 to 35 Vietnam veterans — “old timers, if you will” — got here out to the ceremony Sunday, Lyons mentioned.
The group additionally invited eight veterans of the South Vietnam Military for the primary time, who participated in a wreath laying. It was a “moving experience” not only for the eight Vietnamese veterans however the American veterans “to see potentially the men we fought beside,” Lyons mentioned.
“We remembered 50 years later, the war ended, and the South Vietnamese people and the South Vietnamese veterans lost their country,” mentioned Lyons. “We wanted to remember that today and to include them in our service.”
The memorial itself lists not simply the 25 names, however reads additionally, “If you forget my death than I go in vain,” Lyons mentioned. On the opposite facet, it states, “To all the men and women who served during the Vietnam War, welcome home.”
Lyons mentioned he learn one other quote throughout the ceremony Sunday: “Poor is the nation that has no heroes. Shameful is the nation that has them and forgets.”
“I think it set the tone for what the day was all about,” Lyons mentioned. “We had these 25 heroes from our community and we wanted to continue to remember their service and sacrifice, and at the same time honor all those who have worn the uniform.”
