Grove should honor Vietnam War veterans, too

To the editor,

It is especially ironic to note on this day nominally designated as Veterans Day, a day to honor all veterans, that Vietnam veterans continue to suffer indignities and exclusion from the mindset of many of those otherwise empowered to memorialize their contributions and sacrifice in what remains an eternally unpopular war in our nation’s history.

There is ample precedence throughout our country for honoring local servicemen and women, including in the Bronx, where a Memorial Grove exists in Van Cortlandt Park to honor Bronx veterans from WWI, WWII and the Korean War.  But there is no representation there, whatsoever, to recall the service of the many from our country who so nobly served our nation in combat in southeast Asia. There is no remembrance of the servicemen and women who valiantly sacrificed and gave their lives during that so very long and violent period of our military involvement. 

To date, every single local political representative has been contacted with the thought of adding but a single plaque to Memorial Grove (there is plenty of space) on behalf of the Bronx’s Vietnam veterans. Each one has indicated tacit support for the idea of memorializing their service, but none has stepped forward to assist. Rather, each has offered reasons why they, in particular, are not the ones that can. One even stated categorically and authoritatively that only four —  yes, four — Bronxites even served over the 20-year period of our involvement in Vietnam (and therefore no memorial is justified)!

It is time to remember and memorialize our neighbors who served with dignity in Vietnam, those who were decorated for their courage and those who died there.  Memorial Grove is an appropriate location to represent that particular generation of veterans, even as an ever-decreasing number live on. Our representatives empowered to do so need to not only support, but directly sponsor their celebration, remembrance and inclusion. It’s time.

Stephen J. Budihas