President Obama called on Americans to recognize the 50th anniversary of the start of the Vietnam War in an op-ed written for the Military Times on Monday.
“After Vietnam, our veterans didn’t always receive the respect and thanks they deserved,” Obama wrote. “At times they were neglected and even shunned, which was a national shame. We’ve pledged many times since Vietnam that we would never let that happen again, and that we would give our veterans, especially our Vietnam Veterans, the respect and honor they deserve. This 50th anniversary is our opportunity to do it right.”
Obama will speak at a a ceremony later in the day at the Vietnam War Memorial with Vice President Joe Biden.
