Read Stories > Honoring Vietnam Veterans

In the months, years, and decades since the Vietnam War ended in 1975, many Veterans have faced their own individual battles with PTSD, depression, and more. This Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29, we welcome home and commemorate their service and sacrifices.

It’s a day to honor Veterans like Don, whose story is a testament to the challenges that some Vietnam Veterans still face, and to the power of their experiences more than 40 years ago.

The U.S. Army Veteran came home from Vietnam. He got married. He found a job. “Just sort of went on with life,” Don says. “I didn’t have an immediate reaction. I just blocked it out. I didn’t want to remember anything.” He didn’t think about the jeep he watched hit a land mine, or the body with no arms and legs he helped collect.

But things changed after the attacks on Sept. 11, 2001. And several months later, Don was diagnosed with PTSD.

“My first reaction was, ‘Why now, and why so many years later?’” he says. “And they just said something set it off. Something hit a nerve and brought it back. That’s when it really started for me — and it was hard.”

Every day, VA helps Veterans like Don confront and overcome these challenges by providing services and support.