Category: Thank You for your service

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

In 2017 S.305 – Vietnam War Veteran Recognition Act was signed into law by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, our 45th, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The choosing of March 29 is a fitting and significant choice for honoring Vietnam Veterans. Why is it significant you might ask? Well, let me tell you.

The date March 29 was chosen to be observe in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Additionally, it was on or around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

It is estimated by The Department of Veterans Affairs, that there are more than 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 10 million families of those who served during this timeframe.

The national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President to thank and honor our Nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. It is of my opinion that this recognition and commemoration was long overdue. Vietnam Veterans were not given any kind of welcome home by the hometowns, their country or thanked for their service by anyone other than their families for generations.

The National Vietnam War Veterans Day is special to my family and myself for a significant reason. My husband, Terry Leon Wilson, and father of my children served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He served as a heavy-duty truck driver. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on April 27, 1972, and served on active duty until April 30, 1975, upon which he went into the reserves. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the rank of SP4 while on active duty.

I wish I had pictures of my husband and veteran in uniform. We met afterwards and he never talked about his time he served in Vietnam other than the fact he was there during the conflict.

The above are a few photos of my Vietnam Veteran, Terry Leon Wilson. Thank you for your service and Welcome Home.

God bless. Thank Vietnam Veterans and all Veterans for the service to our country. I appreciate y’all.

Happy Veterans Day – November 11, 2022

Veterans Day originally was called Armistice Day. It started in 1919 on the one-year anniversary of the end of World War I. It was made a national holiday in 1938 and later renamed “Veterans Day” in 1954. The renaming was to enable the ability to honor all veterans from every U.S. war.

Veterans Day is the time for each and every one of us to show our appreciation for the military men and women who have served our country. On this day, we celebrate the attributes that we most admire in those who serve: Courage. Honor. Sacrifice. Selflessness. The sacrifices Veterans’ make are selfless and immeasurable. For a tremendous number of Veterans, those sacrifices did not end when they came home from duty. For some others, they paid the ultimate sacrifice to defend Freedom. It was their testament to their unbelievable loyalty, bravery, and commitment. All Veterans are Heroes.

Veterans Day is always on November 11th regardless of what day of the week it falls on. Why is it always on the 11th? This date in particular recognizes the Armistice of November 11, 1918, the formal agreement which marked the official end of World War I. It was on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month in 1918 when allied forces and Germany came together to sign the peace treaty.

Veterans Day gives the country an opportunity to thank those who previously served in the U.S. military. It is different from Memorial Day in that aspect. Memorial Day honors those military members who died while serving their country. It is also different from Armed Forces Day. Armed Forces Day celebrates and recognizes those currently serving in the U.S. military.

Today, I want to thank all Veterans for their service to our country and the sacrifices they made and continue to make to ensure the Freedoms I and all of us are allowed to enjoy. I am also remembering my ancestors who served our great nation and those family members still living who served the United States Military.

Pictured in the slideshow above are Calvin C. Miller, Confederate Soldier in the Civil War, is the paternal grandfather of wife of my great-grandfather. Harvey Martin Watson, U.S. Army, my maternal grandfather, served during World War I.

In this slideshow are my dad, Nornal Hule Waters, U.S. Navy who served during the Korean War. Eddie Woodrow Waters, my uncle and my dad’s brother, U.S. Army who also served during the Korean War.

Pictured in this slideshow group are my brother, Larry Dean Waters, U.S. Air Force he served during the time of Desert Storm. My son, David Clyde Wilson, U.S. Marines served in Afghanistan.

In this day and age, we need to remember and thank our Veterans and those serving more than once a year. We should thank them every day for their service. Pray for them daily. The sacrifices they made; we know nothing about. For some, their struggles didn’t end when they came home but are ongoing. Too many veterans fight daily internal struggles. We need to do more to insure they have their needs met and are able to receive whatever resources necessary for them to feel valued, respected, and honored.

Again, Thank you Veterans for your services and sacrifices to the United States of America.

God Bless. Thank you! I appreciate y’all.