29 March 2024
WICHITA, Kan. (KSNW) – Wichitans gathered at Wichita Veterans Memorial Park on National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
The ceremony started at noon on Friday with the national anthem and an opening prayer. It was followed by remarks from Vietnam War Veteran Kenny White, American Legion Post commander.
White told KSN News he has been to every one of the ceremonies and was honored to speak.
“It is about all of us that served,” said White. “We are losing way too fast. For some reason, the Vietnam vet, in the last 14 years, is dying off quicker than any other generation before us. It has a lot to do with Agent Orange.”
“As Kenny said, we only have 30% of us left, so it is important to come to these kind of events and be with your brothers and sisters,” Vietnam War Veteran Ed Roberts said.
After the speaker’s remarks, taps were played, and there was a three-volley rifle salute.
Attendees included some elected officials, including Sedgwick County Commissioner David Dennis, who entered the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
“March 29 marks the date that the last American soldier left Vietnam,” he said. “I want to recognize all the Vietnam veterans because they didn’t get recognition when they came back from the war. My brother especially. He did serve over there. He was injured while he was there. Agent Orange has affected him, and he is now 100% disabled because of his services in Vietnam. I want to make sure that every one of those, my brother and every veteran that served in Vietnam, is recognized.”
National Vietnam War Veterans Day was made official through the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 and signed into law by then-President Donald Trump.