Vietnam Veterans Reunion Proves Moving

His scraggly grey hair curling from both his beard and head, Bruce Smith looked hesitantly up from his wheelchair.

“I’m probably going to have some nightmares after this,” Smith said.

Nearing four decades after the Vietnam War ended, the veteran spoke disgustedly about Agent Orange and its effects.

He came to The Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Reunion at the Silver Spring Civic Building Monday because employees at the Silver Spring Vet Center had urged him to discover avenues available to him to deal with health treatment. The event evoked many feelings, ranging from the painful to the celebratory to the powerful, as war veterans—from Vietnam in particular—met to gather information from service organizations and hear inspirational speeches.

County Executive Isiah Leggett (D) and Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D-Dist. 8) spoke about the actions that the government and everyday citizens can initiate to truly honor and assist veterans, but they served to introduce the honored guest, who Leggett called a “real American Hero.”

Max Cleland—a Vietnam veteran, triple-amputee and former Georgia senator—spoke eloquently and decisively about the sacrifices each person in the roughly 35-veteran audience has made—many of whom, like Cleland, were missing limbs. He expressed how important it was for each of them to find something in life worth pursuing.

Cleland was awarded the Purple Heart, Bronze Star for meritorious service and Silver Star for gallantry in action when he arrived back from Vietnam, but he described himself as having “no job, no future, no girlfriend [and] no car.”

With one arm and no legs, Cleland questioned his life’s direction, now that he was “on this side of the wall,” referring to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in which is sketched each American death from the war.

And he was simultaneously dealing with serious effects from the war.

“If you don’t have (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), then you’re crazy,” Cleland said.

He knew that the memories would not cease to haunt him.

“War catches up with you,” he said. “Wars are not over when the shooting stops.”

So, he reasoned, “Might as well run for Senate.”

With the opportunity to figure out a way to help those who truly needed it from a position of power, Cleland said his life took on a new meaning.

In speaking, he urged everyone to find what will make them satisfied with their post-battle lives and he praised those who make veterans’ lives easier.

He awarded a challenge coin to Leggett and Van Hollen for their support of veterans. In particular, he thanked Van Hollen, whose veteran-assisting vouchers have, thus far, enabled 65 veterans and their families to be housed. Throughout, the speakers made a clear delineation between those who support the troops with action and those who just did do it passively. They encouraged action.

“You can disagree with a decision to go to war, but you need to always support the warrior, support the soldier,” Van Hollen said. “And when they return home, you guys give them the support they need.”

And that’s what the night was all about: support.

“It’s worthwhile,” Hugh Eagleton, a retired Navy officer who spent time in Vietnam, said. “They’ve got people to talk to, to help eyeball to eyeball.”

Eagleton said he enjoyed hearing the speakers and connecting with other veterans, adding that the informational packets were helpful. But, he admitted, it’s nice to celebrate the men’s heroics, too.

“Nobody gave us a parade when we came home,” he said.

“Didn’t have one till the wall in Vietnam,” he said, with a tinge of sadness in his voice.

After the talks subsided and many veterans gathered around Cleland to pose for pictures, Smith retreated to the tables at the back of the center. He searched pamphlets reading the effects and strategies of dealing with PTSD.