Vietnam War veterans shared their experiences during that war with an audience gathered for Naval Support Activity Bethesda's (NSAB) inaugural Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration event at the USO Warrior and Family Center, Dec. 11.

Vietnam veteran Lou Kerrdock said he went to Vietnam in 1965 and was part of Operation Starlite, the first battle of the war in which American troops fought against a large force of Viet Cong.

"I was proud to serve and when I came back, that was in March of 1966, I went to the University of Maryland on the GI Bill and I had to sit there every Monday morning and listen to this punk professor - a young punk English professor - talking about his war protests over the weekend," Kerrdock said. "When we came back, people were spitting on us. So I'm glad, and I thank you all for doing this. There's not too many of us, but thank you very much."

NSAB became a commemorative partner in the U.S. Vietnam War Commemoration program in 2015. The program is authorized by the Secretary of Defense to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War by coordinating, supporting and facilitating programs and activities of federal, state and local governments, and other persons and organizations. The Commemoration began in May 2012 and will continue until September 2025.

During the ceremony, NSAB Commanding Officer Capt. Marvin L. Jones gave remarks thanking the veterans for their service, and reminding the assembled audience that the Nation's thanks to Vietnam veterans was well-deserved and long overdue. NSAB's Junior Sailor of the Year, Master-At-Arms 1st Class Jonathan Cales, and Bluejacket of the Year, Personnel Specialist 3rd Class Jordan Davis, read President Barack Obama's May 2012 presidential proclamation which began the Commemoration, and Vietnam veterans present for the ceremony also gave remarks.

Vietnam veteran Bill Johnson told the assembled crowd at the USO that he didn't want people to know that he served in Vietnam when he returned home.

"Being a Vietnam vet has been a long journey for me," Johnson said. "On that plane ride back home - knowing the setback of the United States - that I did not fight in a very popular war and I wasn't going to get a parade or a big welcome home...I didn't tell anyone that I was in the military, except for my family who were very proud of me."

It wasn't until 15 years ago that he started letting others know that he served in the Vietnam War. That was after he got into motorcycling and started wearing a leather vest with U.S. Army 25th Infantry Division and Vietnam veteran patches.

"A (woman) came up to me and said, 'Thank you.'", Johnson explained. When he asked her what she was thanking him for, she replied, "You're a Vietnam vet, aren't you? So, thank you."

"Ever since then, I've gotten a lot of 'thank-yous' for my service and a lot of people walking up and saying 'welcome home'."

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