Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MARCH 26, 2021 On Monday reach out to local Vietnam Veterans in our community to thank them for their service and say “Welcome Home!” By Jay Pinette A reader’s perspective T he fourth anniversary of National Vietnam War Veterans Day will be observed on Monday, March 29. It is a day set aside to thank and honor the six million living Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. As time marches on and the memories of this time in American history may start to fade, it is vitally important that we remind our Vietnam veterans that we appreciate their service to our nation and that they have earned our Nation’s gratitude. The Department of Defense lists more than 58,000 casualties of the Vietnam War. According to an estimate from the Department of Veterans Affairs, 557 Vietnam veterans FOR THEIR ULTIMATE SACRIFICE: The PFC Richard D. Devine Jr. Memorial outside Saugus Town Hall pays tribute to the three local men who gave their lives during the Vietnam War. (Saugus Advocate file photos by Mark E. Vogler) pass away each day. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, there are 1,585 Americans still listed as missing/unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. The Town of Saugus lost www.eight10barandgrille.com We Have Reopened for Dine-In and Outside Seating every day beginning at 4 PM WE'RE OPEN! 8 Norwood Street, Everett (617) 387-9810 Aluminum Everett 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 62 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for over half a century. We must be doing something right!” Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! family since 1958 • 60 •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Vinyl Siding •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Fully Licensed •Roofng •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Fully Licensed ng •Roo ng • Fully Insured • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Everett Aluminum STAY SAFE! A CALL FOR APPRECIATION: Saugus Veterans Service Officer Jay Pinette has a special request for town residents: that on Monday, March 29, they express their appreciation to any Vietnam War veterans in their community by thanking them for their service. The names of more than 450 Vietnam War veterans are inscribed on the wall for the Vietnam War at Veterans Memorial Park in Saugus. three local men during the Vietnam War. They were Michael A. DeProfio, Richard D. Devine, Jr. and Stanley J. Egan. Their names are inscribed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., as well as on local memorials. Many more Vietnam veterans have been lost over the last 45 years as a direct result of the visible and invisible wounds incurred in Vietnam. In his book “Warriors Remembered,” retired U.S. Army Colonel Albert Nahas, himself a Vietnam Veteran, wrote: “We had no expectations but to serve where duty called us. We asked for no reward except a nation’s thanks.” Unfortunately, many of our warriors returning from Vietnam were not offered…a nation’s thanks.” In far too many instances, those returning from or serving during Vietnam were not accorded the same type of treatment that today’s service members receive. For decades, the Vietnam Veterans bore a heavy burden due to their service. In recent years, we have come full circle and are now extending a heartfelt “Welcome Home” to our Vietnam Veterans. The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and “in conducting the commemorative program, the Secretary shall coordinate, support, and facilitate other programs and activities of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other persons and organizations in commemoration of the VietPERSPECTIVE | SEE PAGE 21 Spring!
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