THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 3, 2020 Page 5 A reader’s perspective Reach out to local Vietnam Veterans in our community to thank them for their service and say, “Welcome Home!” RECOGNIZING VIETNAM VETS LOCALLY: Saugus Veterans’ Service Officer Jay Pinette. (Saugus Advocate fi le photo) By Jay Pinette n 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 off ered “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 VeterI of the Vietnam War.” The commemoration seeks to recognize all U.S. Armed Forces personnel with active duty service between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, regardless of the location of service. The objectives of the commemoration are 1. To thank and honor Veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifi ce on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these Veterans. 2. To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and nongovernmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces. 3. To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War. 4. To highlight the advances in technology, science and medireach out to any local Vietnam Veterans in our community to thank them for their service and say “Welcome Home!” This “Welcome Home” does not need to be confi ned to the 29th. It can, and should, be offered whenever one sees any Veteran. The VSOs also have a 1996. During Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm, he was activated for service. He served as an Operations/Communications Chief and was responsible for the leadership and management of Marines who served in a variety of technical and combat support roles. Pinette retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1996. THE BOOK ON VIETNAM: cover of the 50-year commemoration book. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) book that has been published for the commemoration. It is called “A Time to Honor – Stories of Service, Duty and Sacrifi ce.” Please feel free to contact VSO Jay Pinette at the Veterans’ Services Offi ce at Saugus Town Hall at 781-231-4010 or at veterans.services@saugus-ma.gov. Sources: vietnamwar50th. com and vvmf.org. Editor’s Note: Jay Pinette, of HONORING FALLEN SAUGONIANS: The monument on the front lawn of Saugus Town Hall honors three town residents who were killed while serving in the Vietnam War: Marine Cpl Michael DeProfi o, Army PFC Richard D. Devine and Army SP4 Stanley J. Egan. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) ans 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 cine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War. 5. To recognize the contributions and sacrifi ces made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War. Since 2008, across the Nation, Americans have been uniting to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifi ce. Today, as the world struggles with the impact of the COVID-19 emergency, most formal commemoration ceremonies have been cancelled. Your local Veterans’ Service Offi cers (VSOs) would like to ask that you take a moment on March 29th to Wakefield, is the Veterans Service Offi cer for Saugus. He wrote this essay to locally recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day, which was observed on Sunday, March 29, and to also call attention to the ongoing 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War commemoration. Pinette is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, having served from 1973-1976 and as a reservist from 1976 through
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