Welcome home for Vietnam veterans attracts several thousand from Bradenton-Sarasota to Patriot Plaza

SARASOTA -- A welcome home for Vietnam-era veterans and their families on the 50th anniversary of that war attracted a capacity crowd to the 2,800-seat Patriot Plaza at Sarasota National Cemetery on Tuesday.

Several speakers noted that returning Vietnam soldiers were often maligned or ignored in their youth.

But now in the "autumn of their life" they were receiving the heart-felt thanks of a nation.

Of the more than 58,000 American men and women who lost their lives in Vietnam, 40,000 died before their 20th birthday, said guest speaker retired Col. Ben Knisley, who flew dustoff, or medical evacuation missions, during the war.

The worst single day of the war was Jan. 31, 1968, when 235 Americans were killed, Knisley said.

"For those of us who served, we can still see their faces

and feel the pain those numbers caused. Those who died are forever young, because that's the way we remember them," he said.

Retired Brig Gen. Jim Hesson assured his fellow veterans that they served with honor and distinction and have the admiration, respect and thanks of a grateful nation.

Tuesday's welcome home was one of thousands held around the United States on the 50th anniversary of the war. The date was chosen to mark the withdrawal of the last U.S. troops from Vietnam on March 29, 1973.

The highlight of the welcome home was the distribution of commemorative pins marking the 50th anniversary of the war.

Hundreds of veterans came to the front of the amphitheater to receive a commemorative pin, and receive a warm handshake.

Glen Martin, who served in Chu Lai during the war, said he was surprised that so many veterans attended the welcome home despite rain that fell right up to the start of the program.

Knisley noted that Vietnam vets are not strangers to monsoon weather.

"For most of those who made the pilgrimage to be here, it wasn't a problem at all to come through this weather," Knisley said.

Another Vietnam vet, Ira McNutt, said he was surprised to see a full house at Patriot Plaza, "all with smiles on their faces and some with tears, too."

James A. Jones Jr., Herald reporter, can be contacted at 941-745-7053 or on Twitter @jajones1.

This story was originally published March 29, 2016 at 11:01 PM with the headline "Welcome home for Vietnam veterans attracts several thousand from Bradenton-Sarasota to Patriot Plaza ."