It’s been 50 years since the Vietnam war ended.
VFW 1333 Pos Commander Wilbur Martin of Neptune said it’s about time Vietnam-era veterans were honored for their sacrifices.
Martin, a 19-year Veteran of the US Army and the Korean and Vietnam wars, is the recipient of the Silver Star, four Bronze Stars with V (Valor) device, and two Purple Hearts, among many other awards. He is one of the most decorated veterans of New Jersey.
In honor of the anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War on March 29, 1973, Neptune, along with VFW Post 1333 of Neptune, is sponsoring a parade Sat., March 29 to honor the veterans. The parade will step off at 11:15 a.m. at the Neptune Municipal Building on Neptune Boulevard and proceed east on Washington Avenue three blocks to the VFW building. A noon commemoration is planned, honoring the veterans.
Although the parade is only three blocks long, the 86-year-old Martin said, “The original plan was for us to march to the Veterans Memorial Park. Remember, we are old.”
Veterans returning from this unpopular war, involving over 2.7 million in uniform and sadly over 59,000 who didn’t come home, were never honored for their service, and often jeered and even spit upon. As Commander Wilbur Martin said, “It’s time we honored these veterans for their service to our country”.
Neptune Mayor Robert Lane put out a call to nearby towns to invite all veterans and the public to the event.
Among those marching in the parade will be the award-winning Color Guard from American Legion Post 346, also of Neptune. Paul Hulse, Past Commander of Post 346 and Captain of the Legion’s Color Guard and a Vietnam-era vet, said they are honored to take part in the parade.
“How could we not take part in this?” he said.
