McLean County Times

On March 29, Vietnam War Veterans Day, Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) honored a fallen friend who served in Vietnam.

“We honor the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War and those who served during that period,” Caulkins said in a video posted to Facebook. “I spoke on the House floor to honor the memory and service of my friend and high school classmate John Smith. Johnny was born on May 19 1947. After graduating from Stephen Decatur High School in 1965 he passed up several scholarships to follow in his father's footsteps and enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. On Oct. 5, 1966, Lance Corporal John R. Smith was killed in action, making the ultimate sacrifice in service to his country. We remember him and the other 29,111 American Gold Star casualties today on the House floor.”

In 2012, President Barack Obama issued a proclamation that underscored the need for this holiday. Fox News reported he wrote: “The Vietnam War is a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm’s way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear.”

Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) also added his support to Vietnam War veterans.

“This national day of recognition was created in 2017 when President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 into law,” Bailey wrote on Facebook. “It designated March 29 as the day to honor veterans of the Vietnam War each year.  I cannot tell you how much I am thankful for our veterans and their families. I pray their service and sacrifices will always be honored and remembered.”

Vietnam War Veterans Day was signed into law by President Donald Trump in 2017. It joins six other days of observance: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Navy Day, and Veterans Day.

The veterans during that war gave up their lives, time, energy, and, for Ron Cardenas, of Erie, Colorado, his education. Cardenas, 75, left high school before graduating but received his diploma from Erie High School on April 1.

“This moment has been 58 years in the making for me,” Cardenas said to WKRC. “It’s something I’ll put next to my kids’ diplomas. See, I got mine, too. It is important to me. It is important to say I finally got it.”