BRAINERD — A few dozen veterans, family members of veterans and community members joined the Crow Wing County Board Tuesday, March 25, as they took a moment to recognize Vietnam Veterans during the board meeting.
According to the American Legion, March 29 is designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and is set aside to pay special tribute to the nine million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era, to the 58,000 names memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserved when they returned to America from war.
On March 29, 1973, the U.S. Military Assistance Command in Vietnam was disbanded and was the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Also on that day, Operation Homecoming was completed when the last of 591 U.S. prisoners of war were released and returned to the United States.
Saturday, March 29, 2025, marks 52 years since American troops left Vietnam in 1973.
“It's an honor to stand before you today as we recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day,” said Erik Flowers, Crow Wing County veteran services officer. “March 29, this Saturday, is a day set aside to honor the men and women who served during one of the most challenging conflicts in American history.
“Yet, for those who served, the war did not end with their return home. Too many came back to a nation divided, facing not only the memories of war but also the reality of being unrecognized for their sacrifices. Today, as a county and as a nation, we hope to correct that. We stand together and say what should have been said long ago — welcome home.”
There were about nine million U.S. military personnel serving during the war and about 2.7 million U.S. troops had boots on the ground in Vietnam. The Vietnam Veterans Memorial lists the names of 58,281 men and women who died or are missing in action during the Vietnam War.
“The cost of that service was heavy,” Flowers said. “Their name is forever etched into the black granite of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC. Each name represents a life given in service to this country, young men and women who never returned home to their families, their dreams left unfinished.”
Unfortunately, the toll of Vietnam did not stop at the end of the war. Flowers said many Vietnam veterans have fought a second war, a war against service-related injuries, post traumatic stress, anxiety, depression and exposure to toxic chemicals like Agent Orange.
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The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs states Agent Orange was a tactical herbicide used by the U.S. military for control of vegetation in Vietnam and was named as such due to the orange band around barrels it was stored in.
“Meant to clear the dense jungles of Vietnam, what it left behind was far worse,” Flowers said. “Exposure to Agent Orange has led to illnesses, including cancers, heart disease, Parkinson's disease and many respiratory conditions. Although we know nearly 60,000 died in combat, the reality is that hundreds of thousands have suffered and died from illnesses connected to their service.”
Sitting together and both holding photos of their late husbands, sisters Cathy Collett and Darlene Schaefer said they came to pay respects and to remind others of the sacrifices made by others who answered the call.
Schaefer said her husband, Ron Schaefer, served in the Army and was stationed around the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. Ron Schaefer died on Aug. 29, 2023, due to complications from Guillain-Barré syndrome linked to Agent Orange.
Collett’s husband, Kenneth Collett, served in the Navy during the Vietnam War and retired after serving 20 years. Kenneth Collett died on Jan. 10, 2025.
Flowers said they planned the event with the county to help recognize all that Vietnam Veterans went through, especially when they came home to a not-so-warm welcome.
“It's just to make sure that they get the welcome home they deserve,” Flowers said. “The way they were treated, lost their jobs, and just discriminated against for having worn that uniform during that time frame. It's just heartbreaking to see. So it's to keep that in memory, and to never do that again. So we honor their service.”
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Also in attendance was Baxter Mayor Darrel Olson, who said he was grateful to see all who came to support the Vietnam veterans, though he said he has started to notice the group getting smaller every year.
“I was really happy that the county commissioners took the initiative to do that and took advantage of one of their meetings to highlight their service,” Olson said. “Some volunteered, and some did not, but nevertheless, they went and I'm very appreciative of that, and we certainly do not want to forget them. … Everything that our veterans have done for us in the past needs to be acknowledged, and we need to show up and thank them and show appreciation.”
After the presentation by Flowers, County Commissioner Steve Barrows asked to address all those who had gathered, saying that he, too, had a brother who served in Vietnam.
“To our Vietnam veterans, we say thank you,” Barrows said. “Thank you for your service, thank you for your bravery and thank you for your commitment to protecting the freedoms we all hold dear. Your contributions have left an indelible mark on our nation's history, and we are forever grateful for your sacrifices. As we reflect on this day, let us also remember the families of our veterans. They, too, have endured the trials and tribulations of war, providing unwavering support and love. Their strength and resilience are a testament to the enduring spirit of the American family. It is our duty to ensure that the legacy of Vietnam veterans is never forgotten.
“We must continue to educate future generations about the sacrifices made by these brave individuals and the lessons learned from their experiences, and by doing so, we honor their memory and uphold the values they fought to protect.”
Veterans looking to inquire about their federal and state benefits can inquire with the Crow Wing County Veterans Services office at 218-824-1058. The Brainerd VFW and Disabled American Veterans Chapter can be reached at 218-829-6393. The Brainerd American Legion can be reached at 218-829-2249.
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TIM SPEIER, staff writer, can be reached on Twitter @timmy2thyme , call 218-855-5859 or email tim.speier@brainerddispatch.com .
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