Former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel returned to the Pentagon Tuesday to pay tribute to his fellow Vietnam veterans who he said fought in an unpopular war they didn’t understand and returned to an ungrateful nation.
The two-time Purple Heart recipient formally opened the Defense Departments Vietnam war exhibit, which stretches along a segment of the third-floor corridor and marks the 50th anniversary of the conflict.
Speaking to a small crowd gathered in the corridor, Hagel said it was “a difficult time to serve this country.”
“Unfortunately, our Vietnam veterans came back to a country that was not only ungrateful, but their service was vilified,” said Hagel, who served as Pentagon chief from 2013-2015. “These men and women didn’t have anything to do with the policy that put us in Vietnam, but they served this country and they served it as honorably as any generation in the history of this country has served.”
Hagel and his brother Tom served in Vietnam in 1968 — a year, he said, that saw the assassinations of Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy, as well as riots in the streets and “tremendous social unrest.”
Now, in recognizing the 50th anniversary, the country has finally corrected the wrongs done to veterans returning from the war, Hagel said. The exhibit, he said, provides accurate, historical reflection on the war and the times.
Spread around part of the Pentagon’s A Ring, which faces the inner courtyard, the exhibit includes portions of two Huey helicopters as well as other historical combat equipment and materials. It documents the history of the war and has interactive displays that focus on the war from the veterans’ perspective.
Defense Secretary Ash Carter formally opened the exhibit, along with Hagel.
About nine million U.S. troops served during the Vietnam war era, and about seven million are still living today. More than 58,000 Americans were killed during the conflict.
The official 50th anniversary commemoration recognizes the 20-year span from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, to acknowledge the service of all those who were on active duty during that time.
November 1, 1955, was chosen to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V), and May 15, 1975, marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the merchant ship SS Mayaguez, which was the last official battle of the war.
The Associated Press contributed to this article.
I believe I have something that could be of interest to the Vietnam exhibit.
I believe it to be a Montguard crossbow and quiver with bamboo arrows.
I was made to remove the bone trigger so it would be inoperable if I wanted to bring home. Been in my closet ever since. I’d like to see it go to a museum or someplace where others could view weapons from the Vietnam conflict
As for serving in Vietnam during it’s war years. I followed the commands of my superiors… spent four (4) years in the war zones of Vietnam. Came back to a thankless Nation. Was spit at. I shrugged it off; continued to salute and respect to the utmost my (our) Nations flag, and will never forget that it was our enlisted people who in very large part… won the war – they always do. When the armed conflicts broke out in Iraq… then Afganistan, I volunteered each time to go there with the troops. Granted, I was to old to run very far nor very fast, but I could field a phone – direct fire support – or provide to fill some post somewhere. This volunteer request of mine was to serve at any rank, for any salary. I would do so again cheerfully and with great pride and humility. As expected I guess, I was summarily turned down… not even to receive any response. Ron Zahm
i served in the Nam from 1968 60 1070, and my cousins served prior to and after my tours of service.and I found out that it was better to be in the Nam than coming home.
HELL YEAH, i still think about the garbage that those f***ing bas***s said and spit upon us calling us vile names, simply because we served our beloved country, while the KKKlintonistas enjoyed the safety that we provided for these ungrateful bas***s.
i have more love and respect for the men that i fought against than these damned liberals.
and i’m very proud to have voted for Trump and not that murderous KKKlinton bitch.
i have bled and more for the United States of America than most.