In entrance of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall right this moment, throughout a Veterans Day commemoration, Secretary of Protection Lloyd J. Austin III recalled the service of among the veterans of that battle and the way their service each served the nation, and in a single case, his personal name to serve.
“For 40 years, this granite wall has by no means been nearly historical past,” Austin mentioned. “This solemn place has beckoned guests to really feel the profound connection between the previous and the current within the easiest of how — by reaching out a hand and touching a reputation. Standing on the wall, hand outstretched, we really feel that the sacrifices of those 58,281 fallen People stay with us. They form who we’re right this moment, they usually urge us to dwell as much as America’s full promise.”
Each veteran who has served or who nonetheless does, Austin mentioned, has made the USA safer and stronger.
“That’s the lasting legacy of your service,” Austin mentioned. “And it calls for our lasting gratitude.”
The secretary recalled Vietnam veteran and Medal of Honor recipient Alfred V. Rascon. Born in Chihuahua, Mexico, Rascon served within the battle however did not develop into a naturalized American citizen till after his preliminary service ended.
“In Vietnam in 1966, [Spc. Rascon] discovered his platoon below assault,” Austin mentioned. “Defying orders, he ran in the direction of the firefight to assist, and surrounded by teammates and severely injured himself, he threw his physique in entrance of a comrade to defend him from enemy hearth. Extremely, Spc. Rascon repeated this act of bravery two extra occasions, masking two different teammates together with his personal physique to soak up the explosions.”
After changing into a U.S. citizen, Rascon turned an Military officer and returned to serve once more in Vietnam. In 2000, he was awarded the Medal of Honor for his actions as an enlisted service member throughout a ceremony on the White Home, and in 2002, he was confirmed by the U.S. Senate to function the tenth director of the Selective Service System.
Austin additionally remembered Military officer, and nurse, Lola Olsmith, who he mentioned joined the army after seeing a recruiting advert for Military nurses on tv. Olsmith later discovered herself in a hospital in Vietnam, working 12-hours shifts, and treating each American and Vietnamese personnel.
“They might journey into villages and deal with anybody who wanted it,” Austin mentioned. “One evening through the Tet Offensive, when an explosion tore via their constructing, the younger nurse lifted up a pregnant Vietnamese lady by herself and sheltered her below a mattress for defense. So Lola Olsmith had discovered her calling.”
After her time in Vietnam, Austin mentioned, Olsmith remained an Military nurse and handled sufferers across the nation, ultimately progressing in rank to colonel as a nurse recruiter.
“Throughout Operation Desert Storm in 1991, Col. Olsmith discovered herself treating the battle wounded abroad as soon as once more, 1 / 4 century after she went to Vietnam,” Austin mentioned. “And years later, reflecting on her army profession, Col. Olsmith merely mentioned, ‘I am simply very proud to be part of it.'”
Lastly, Austin remembered one different Vietnam veteran — his personal uncle.
“I come from a household with a proud historical past of army service, and one in every of my uncles served in Vietnam as a communicator,” Austin mentioned. “He was the very first African-American Inexperienced Beret that I ever noticed. He got here house carrying … his leap boots and that inexperienced beret … these leap wings … he was very spectacular. My uncle was deeply and quietly happy with what he had contributed. And his pleasure helped to encourage me to function nicely. My uncle confirmed me how significant service may very well be. And he confirmed me the best way that one act of service can result in many, many extra.”
Austin himself went on to serve within the U.S. Military, graduating from the U.S. Navy Academy at West Level, New York, in 1975. Throughout his time in uniform, he served as each the vice chief of workers of the Military and because the commander of United States Central Command. After his army service, he was nominated to function the twenty eighth Secretary of Protection, a place he nonetheless holds.
“Allow us to by no means underestimate what service can imply,” Austin mentioned. “Always remember the ripples set in movement by the People who fought in Vietnam, together with veterans who could by no means have absolutely realized what a distinction they made to these round them. As a result of service lifts up others, it enriches your individual life, and it makes you a part of a proud American story.”
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall has stood in place for 40 years now, and in that point a brand new crop of veterans has each deployed to fight in a battle abroad and returned house. These veterans have additionally contributed to the story of the USA, Austin mentioned — and contributed to the liberty People right this moment proceed to take pleasure in.
The secretary additionally highlighted the service of U.S. army veterans from Iraq and Afghanistan, tying their service to the heroism of these memorialized on the wall.
“In 2008, one in every of my fellow Iraq vets got here to this sacred place and he left a pair of his fight boots at this wall — dimension 12. And together with the boots he left a be aware on Marine Corps stationery,” Austin mentioned. “He wrote, ‘brothers, these are my fortunate boots. They bought me via two wars on the bottom in Iraq. I figured you’ll respect them greater than the rubbish man.’ And his be aware continued: ‘The reality of the matter is that we owe you an terrible lot. In case your era of Marines had not come house to jeers and insults and protests, my era wouldn’t have come house to thanks, and handshakes and hugs.'”
American service members have made a dedication to the American individuals to guard the nation, Austin mentioned, and to at all times defend this democracy.
“These aren’t simply phrases, these are vows, and we are able to make them actual due to the lengthy unbroken custom of sacrifice that joins those that served to those that serve now and those that will step as much as serve within the years to return,” he mentioned. “For that, we owe our veterans not solely our deepest gratitude, but additionally our unwavering dedication to the democratic values that you’ve been so proud to defend. Thanks to all of our veterans for answering your nation’s name. We’ll always remember what you will have given us.”