The U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific Band joined other marching bands, civilians, veterans and service members for the Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War Parade in Waikiki, Hawaii, May 27, 2017. During the parade, the city of Honolulu recognized the service and sacrifice of those who served our nation during the Vietnam War.
“You, as Vietnam veterans of the Vietnam War have every right to be proud of your service,” said Richard L. DeNoyer, National Commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the U.S. “You’ve earned it, you are America’s true warriors and this week here in Hawaii, we honor you, and all Americans should honor you too.”
Thousands gathered along Kalakaua Avenue in Waikiki to support, cheer and recognize Vietnam Veterans for their service and sacrifice during and after the war.
“Like all of you, when I came home, we came home to a country that didn’t understand what Vietnam was all about or didn’t appreciate the experience that all of us had,” DeNoyer said. “That’s changed considerably in the last 50 years.”
The bands played patriotic marches to include Anchors Aweigh and the Marines Hymn. Grateful spectators cheered and shouted, “thank you for your service” to the veterans in the parade.
“Often, now you get a ‘thank you for your service,’ or ‘we appreciate what you’ve done.’ It’s a good feeling…,” he said. “That wasn’t the case 50 years ago, at the very least we were ignored by an apathetic public or at the very worst, treated with disrespect and contempt.”
“I again want to thank the citizens of Hawaii for putting this on,” an announcer said during the parade. “We can thank each other, and that is easy, but I find it very appreciative when I run into civilians who say ‘thank you for your service’ — I guarantee that’s something I didn’t hear 50 years ago.”