Volume 30, Number 1 · February 3, 1983
The Invisible Veterans
By Harry Maurer
The 'National Salute to Vietnam Veterans' in Washington, DC, last November was as remarkable for what did not happen as for what did. The organizers, a committee of veterans, said that it was the 'long overdue welcome home' from a grateful nation to its Vietnam soldiers. For five days there were receptions, military band concerts, wreath-layings, unit reunions, an 'Entertainers' Salute,' a candlelight vigil, and, at the end, a parade and the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. What happened, as anyone knows who watched TV reports or read a newspaper at the time, was a powerful outpouring of emotion that allowed some veterans to say they could finally leave the war behind. But what did not happen was serious discussion of the difficulties that still face many of them.
Feature, 3040 words
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