Vietnam vets deserve more respect, gratitude

I always attend and enjoy many Freedom Festival events but this was the first year that I have attended the “Voices of Freedom” concert. I was greatly impressed with the extensive involvement from so many constituencies in the community, the quality of the music, the vast number of volunteers, the patriotism, and the gratefulness and support extended to veterans in attendance.

However, I was extremely disappointed when veterans of World War II and Korea were given time to stand and individually identify themselves at the beginning of the event but the Vietnam veterans were excluded. They were not recognized until the end and they were relegated to standing in a group at the same time as the veterans of other conflicts.

I don't mean to minimize any veteran's service during some other conflicts but the lives lost and service required were small compared to the sacrifices of the Vietnam War veterans. I lived during the Vietnam War and am embarrassed at how shamefully these veterans were treated. It is time we stopped acting as if Vietnam didn't exist or that it was a minor conflict and give these veterans our respect, gratitude and recognition, including when we recognize veterans at public events.

Evelyn J. Moore

Coralville