Speech Presented at the Commemorative Lapel Pin Ceremony
for Vietnam War Veterans, April 15, 2019
All of you here tonight have decided to acknowledge and honor these men for their
service to our country during the Vietnam War; a war that began in 1955 and ended in 1975. By
serving in our country’s military, every one of them linked himself to the chain of men and
women who have served as guardians of our country since the American Revolution. All who
served in the military made sacrifices, whether it be their time away from their family, or the
postponement of their educational and employment opportunities. Some had to endure
hardships they couldn’t imagine, some acquired injuries and illnesses, and regrettably, some
made the ultimate sacrifice so that all of us would be able to live safely in our homes and
communities.
To our country’s shame, however, those of us who served in the Vietnam War were until
recently largely unacknowledged. It is said, euphemistically, that in the late 1960’s and early
1970’s the Vietnam War was highly “unpopular.” Unpopular is a gross understatement. The
Vietnam War was hated by both those serving in the military at the time and the general public.
There was much divisiveness then too. But the public rage against the war fell largely on the
ordinary servicemen and women. We who served during the Vietnam War were told to avoid
wearing our uniform in public and made to feel ashamed and guilty for being in the military.
Even the veteran organizations did not support us. Some in those organizations told us that the
Vietnam War was not a real war. So, we suppressed our hurt and became invisible. Thankfully,
there are now several published reports and investigations regarding the decisions that were
made about the war and how it was conducted. Two prominent ones, Ken Burn’s documentary
on the Vietnam War and General H.R. McMaster’s book “Dereliction of Duty,” provide very clear
details about how the general public as well as we servicemen and women were misled,
deceived and, betrayed by our leaders in the White House and the pentagon, and by our
generals in Vietnam.
Also, unlike those who served during World War I, World War II and the Korean War, we
who served during the Vietnam War did not have as clear a perspective as to why we were
there to begin with. Some of us, truly believed that we were there to protect our nation and
the world from the encroachment and overthrow of democratic countries by the communists.
Others of us, disagreed with our government’s reasons for being involved in Vietnam or how
our generals conducted the war. Regardless of our views, we either voluntarily enlisted or
complied with the draft. Many of us served stateside, others on ships and bases throughout the
world, while others served in Vietnam proper. All of us in uniform knew that regardless of
where we were stationed, we might at any moment be put in harm’s way. We all knew that we
2
had chosen to put our lives on the line when we agreed to be the guardians of our nation. So,
tonight’s communal recognition of those who served during the Vietnam War is highly
welcomed and long overdue. The presentation of the Vietnam War Commemorative Pin to the
Vietnam War veterans, here at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, is another major step
in healing our collective wound and shame. It also reinforces for us Vietnam War veterans what
we already knew. We stood up when our country needed us, and we have no reason to be
invisible or ashamed. We veterans continue to be proud of ourselves, one another, and our past
actions.
Deep down all servicemen and women believe that we are doing our part to safeguard
our home, our community, and our way of life. When we signed up and began to wear the
uniform of our Armed Forces, we automatically became lifelong members in the club of noble
defenders of our nation, doing what was necessary, doing what is currently necessary, and
regrettably doing what will continue to be necessary in the future.
Jack Kirschenbaum
Commander
American Legion Post 522
Monroe Township, NJ
Email: alpost22@comcast.net
Tel: 609 642-6199
for Vietnam War Veterans, April 15, 2019
All of you here tonight have decided to acknowledge and honor these men for their
service to our country during the Vietnam War; a war that began in 1955 and ended in 1975. By
serving in our country’s military, every one of them linked himself to the chain of men and
women who have served as guardians of our country since the American Revolution. All who
served in the military made sacrifices, whether it be their time away from their family, or the
postponement of their educational and employment opportunities. Some had to endure
hardships they couldn’t imagine, some acquired injuries and illnesses, and regrettably, some
made the ultimate sacrifice so that all of us would be able to live safely in our homes and
communities.
To our country’s shame, however, those of us who served in the Vietnam War were until
recently largely unacknowledged. It is said, euphemistically, that in the late 1960’s and early
1970’s the Vietnam War was highly “unpopular.” Unpopular is a gross understatement. The
Vietnam War was hated by both those serving in the military at the time and the general public.
There was much divisiveness then too. But the public rage against the war fell largely on the
ordinary servicemen and women. We who served during the Vietnam War were told to avoid
wearing our uniform in public and made to feel ashamed and guilty for being in the military.
Even the veteran organizations did not support us. Some in those organizations told us that the
Vietnam War was not a real war. So, we suppressed our hurt and became invisible. Thankfully,
there are now several published reports and investigations regarding the decisions that were
made about the war and how it was conducted. Two prominent ones, Ken Burn’s documentary
on the Vietnam War and General H.R. McMaster’s book “Dereliction of Duty,” provide very clear
details about how the general public as well as we servicemen and women were misled,
deceived and, betrayed by our leaders in the White House and the pentagon, and by our
generals in Vietnam.
Also, unlike those who served during World War I, World War II and the Korean War, we
who served during the Vietnam War did not have as clear a perspective as to why we were
there to begin with. Some of us, truly believed that we were there to protect our nation and
the world from the encroachment and overthrow of democratic countries by the communists.
Others of us, disagreed with our government’s reasons for being involved in Vietnam or how
our generals conducted the war. Regardless of our views, we either voluntarily enlisted or
complied with the draft. Many of us served stateside, others on ships and bases throughout the
world, while others served in Vietnam proper. All of us in uniform knew that regardless of
where we were stationed, we might at any moment be put in harm’s way. We all knew that we
2
had chosen to put our lives on the line when we agreed to be the guardians of our nation. So,
tonight’s communal recognition of those who served during the Vietnam War is highly
welcomed and long overdue. The presentation of the Vietnam War Commemorative Pin to the
Vietnam War veterans, here at the Monroe Township Municipal Building, is another major step
in healing our collective wound and shame. It also reinforces for us Vietnam War veterans what
we already knew. We stood up when our country needed us, and we have no reason to be
invisible or ashamed. We veterans continue to be proud of ourselves, one another, and our past
actions.
Deep down all servicemen and women believe that we are doing our part to safeguard
our home, our community, and our way of life. When we signed up and began to wear the
uniform of our Armed Forces, we automatically became lifelong members in the club of noble
defenders of our nation, doing what was necessary, doing what is currently necessary, and
regrettably doing what will continue to be necessary in the future.
Jack Kirschenbaum
Commander
American Legion Post 522
Monroe Township, NJ
Email: alpost22@comcast.net
Tel: 609 642-6199
