Beneath clear blue skies and a billowing American flag, a crowd gathered at the NAS Patuxent River Parade Field to commemorate Memorial Day and honor a group of Vietnam veterans who turned out to receive a special lapel pin recognizing their service.

As a United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commemorative Partner, Pax River hosted the event, which included guest speaker retired Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Arnold Fields, a reading of the POW/MIA Table Ceremony by Lt. Cmdr. Christopher Rutland, a wreath laying, and a presentation by the Naval District Washington Drill Team.

"Today we reflect on the burdens that have been borne by our Vietnam veterans," said NAS Patuxent River Commanding Officer Capt. Scott Starkey in his opening remarks. "We take this opportunity to pay tribute to the wounded, missing and fallen of the Vietnam War, and their families - men and women who have known the true costs of conflict and deserve our deepest respect."

During his speech, Fields noted that while nearly 58,300 service members lost their lives in the Vietnam War, no generation has been spared the responsibility of defending freedom by force of arms.

"Their collective service and individual sacrifice has safeguarded the nation's defense and the sacred concepts embedded in our Constitution," he noted.

Tasked with leading the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration Office, Fields said there has been "a groundswell of participation and appreciation for our Vietnam veterans, doing what a grateful nation wants to do and believes it should've done 50 years ago."

Jim Truhlar, a veteran who served in Vietnam from July 1971 to July 1972 with the Army Corps of Engineers, admitted to being moved and having shed a few tears for a good friend who died there.

"I was especially pleased to see the [Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation volunteers], and I was glad to have my pin put on by a lady who was a child in Saigon," he said.

Retired from the Army, Richard Banks was with the 4th Infantry Division and served two tours in Vietnam, the last from November 1967 through December 1968.

"I thought [today] was awesome and long overdue to get the recognition Vietnam veterans should've gotten," he said. "I remember coming home through a civilian airport in Tacoma, Washington, and the people laughed at us and spit on us. Something like this kind of makes it right. It gives you a good feeling that America does appreciate what the veterans did back then."

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