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The Manchester V.F.W. Post 10904 welcomed Vietnam era veterans Thursday, March 30 for something they may not have received when they first returned to the United States from serving overseas – a thank you and a welcome home.

The Sixth Annual Vietnam Era Veterans Dinner Program welcomed veterans for a complementary meal and evening program that packed the house.

The ceremony was opened by V.F.W. member Fred Kasper.

“It is with much gratitude that we offer a heartfelt welcome home that you may have never received,” Kasper said.

V.F.W. Post Chaplain Hans Hooker then performed the invocation and blessing for the meal.

“In all, over 58,000 men and women were killed during what the politicians called the Vietnam Conflict, but we the military called it the Vietnam War,” Hooker said. “This evening we are honoring all American causalities of the Vietnam War.”

Special guest speaker Jimmie Spencer of the Vietnam War Commemoration and himself a Vietnam veteran, said it was great to see young people participating in the event.

“It is important that the young people see how we thank and honor our veterans from all wars,” Spencer said. “We need to do more of that and what we are doing here today, what you are doing here today is important.”

Spencer said one of the great strengths of our nation is its ability to recognize when it has made mistakes and do something to make it right.

“That is what we are doing here today,” Spencer said.

While the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War will be concluding in 2025, Spencer said “it continues in our hearts and our souls and our communities.”

Jim Irving, V.F.W. Department of Tennessee Commander said the way Vietnam veterans were treated when they returned to the United States was completely wrong.

“It is hard to understand, but one thing I can say for the Vietnam generation is we have gone and we have stayed and we are trying to make sure it doesn’t happen to anybody else,” Irving said.