Last Tuesday more than 30 veterans who fought in the Vietnam War and are living in Germany were given pins by the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post. This was done as a tribute and recognition of their service. The pins are just a small part of the commemoration effort being made to the Vietnam War veterans that was signed into effect by the former President of the United States, Barack Obama back in 2012.  All this was done so as to recognize the troops who fought in Vietnam and most of the times received unwelcoming U.S. public when they came back home. The veterans were awarded at the Grafenwoehr Veterans Appreciation Day event on base.

James Joyce, VFW Tower Post 10692 commander, commented during the event that the Vietnam veterans for many years have gone unrecognized by many. The event took place at the U.S. Army Garrison Bavaria.

The garrison is associated with more than 1,600 veterans of wars, starting from the WWII to the modern day conflicts. Most of the veterans who had been deployed in Germany had opted to remain in the country, and among them was Baldemar Guevera, who met his wife when he was stationed here with the 2nd Cavalry Regiment in Amberg.

Guevera commented that nowadays the military men and women in the US are well loved and the situation has greatly improved compared to their times. He appreciated the government for showing more respect and making plenty of effort in acknowledging what the veterans did and what the current service members are doing.  

The VFW staff engaged actively with the veterans during the ceremony, active duty soldiers who are stationed on the particular base also had a chance to interact with the veterans and each had something to share about their experience.