Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs

Vietnam veterans honored in Logan Heights

"It is important for our children to understand the sacrifices that were made by our troops."

By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table...
By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table...

Fifty years ago, many American servicemen who fought in Vietnam returned home to a country of discontent; some were spat at, others tormented, and many advised not to wear their uniforms in public.

Unlike World War II veterans who were welcomed home with ticker-tape parades, many who fought in Vietnam never received a “thank you.”

50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Medal

On April 30, commander Miguel Alatorre pinned a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal on each Vietnam veteran who came into the Don Diego VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 7420 in Logan Heights.

“They never got a welcome home,” Alatorre said. “What a lot of people don’t know is that the G.I. Bill and the advancements with the V.A. have been done because of the efforts, push, and lobbying that the Vietnam veterans did.”

Despite Alatorre being born at the tail-end of the Vietnam War, he has never forgotten what the troops endured overseas, but more so, back home in the U.S.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“In 2005, when I got off the plane during my first tour [of five in the Middle East] on leave, the first guy to shake my hand was a Vietnam veteran,” Alatorre said.

Three years later, in 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized the secretary of defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 30, over 35 servicemen from different branches of the military who fought in Vietnam were treated with the “welcome home” party that they never received.

Commander Miguel Alatorre presented to Sara Sandoval a medal for her deceased husband, Raul Sandoval.

Sara Sandoval, the president of the auxiliary at the Don Diego Post, recalled her husband’s reply to a then-Vietnam War protester: “I was over there so people could protest and have the freedom to do that,” Raul Sandoval once said.

Sara received a medal for her husband’s service in the Army; he passed away in 2012 due to ailments brought on from exposure to Agent Orange. Sara said he died shortly before the establishment of the veterans’ memorial in Chicano Park, which he helped bring to fruition.

The servicemen and their family members were greeted by a photographer in front of a banner similar to the ones used at the Grammys, but instead of sponsors, logos of the branches of the military and groups were represented.

By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table with a plate, silverware, candle, and a rose. A black chair was next to it, airbrushed, “Reserved POW/MIA [Prisoner of War/Missing in Action]."

“It’s bittersweet,” said Army veteran Richard Fierro. “I feel bad for the guys from Logan Heights who didn’t come back.”

Fierro fought in Vietnam in 1969-1970 and has been coming to the post since.

82nd Airborne Color Guard

A buffet-style dinner was served: roast beef, chicken, BBQ beans, salad, and bread. Drinks were provided by a full bar, where many toasted shots of tequila to the ones who had died.

After dinner, a Presentation of Colors by the 82nd Airborne Color Guard was presented, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Ali Garcia.

The pinning ceremony lasted about an hour. Every serviceman present (or his representative) who served in Vietnam received a certificate and a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal sent to Alatorre by the U.S. government.

Some of the medal recipients

The night ended with lots of spirits and dancing to music provided by the B-Side Players and DJ Wicho.

“Whether you fought in the Vietnam war or [were] against it, or too young to be affected or shaped by it,” Alatorre said, “it is important for our children to understand the sacrifices that were made by our troops in Vietnam.”

(corrected 5/4, 7:30 p.m.)

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Wild Wild Wets, Todo Mundo, Creepy Creeps, Laura Cantrell, Graham Nancarrow

Rock, Latin reggae, and country music in Little Italy, Oceanside, Carlsbad, Harbor Island
By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table...
By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table...

Fifty years ago, many American servicemen who fought in Vietnam returned home to a country of discontent; some were spat at, others tormented, and many advised not to wear their uniforms in public.

Unlike World War II veterans who were welcomed home with ticker-tape parades, many who fought in Vietnam never received a “thank you.”

50th Anniversary Vietnam War Commemorative Medal

On April 30, commander Miguel Alatorre pinned a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal on each Vietnam veteran who came into the Don Diego VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) Post 7420 in Logan Heights.

“They never got a welcome home,” Alatorre said. “What a lot of people don’t know is that the G.I. Bill and the advancements with the V.A. have been done because of the efforts, push, and lobbying that the Vietnam veterans did.”

Despite Alatorre being born at the tail-end of the Vietnam War, he has never forgotten what the troops endured overseas, but more so, back home in the U.S.

Sponsored
Sponsored

“In 2005, when I got off the plane during my first tour [of five in the Middle East] on leave, the first guy to shake my hand was a Vietnam veteran,” Alatorre said.

Three years later, in 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized the secretary of defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

At approximately 7:30 p.m. on April 30, over 35 servicemen from different branches of the military who fought in Vietnam were treated with the “welcome home” party that they never received.

Commander Miguel Alatorre presented to Sara Sandoval a medal for her deceased husband, Raul Sandoval.

Sara Sandoval, the president of the auxiliary at the Don Diego Post, recalled her husband’s reply to a then-Vietnam War protester: “I was over there so people could protest and have the freedom to do that,” Raul Sandoval once said.

Sara received a medal for her husband’s service in the Army; he passed away in 2012 due to ailments brought on from exposure to Agent Orange. Sara said he died shortly before the establishment of the veterans’ memorial in Chicano Park, which he helped bring to fruition.

The servicemen and their family members were greeted by a photographer in front of a banner similar to the ones used at the Grammys, but instead of sponsors, logos of the branches of the military and groups were represented.

By the entrance sat a roped-off empty table with a plate, silverware, candle, and a rose. A black chair was next to it, airbrushed, “Reserved POW/MIA [Prisoner of War/Missing in Action]."

“It’s bittersweet,” said Army veteran Richard Fierro. “I feel bad for the guys from Logan Heights who didn’t come back.”

Fierro fought in Vietnam in 1969-1970 and has been coming to the post since.

82nd Airborne Color Guard

A buffet-style dinner was served: roast beef, chicken, BBQ beans, salad, and bread. Drinks were provided by a full bar, where many toasted shots of tequila to the ones who had died.

After dinner, a Presentation of Colors by the 82nd Airborne Color Guard was presented, followed by the singing of the national anthem by Ali Garcia.

The pinning ceremony lasted about an hour. Every serviceman present (or his representative) who served in Vietnam received a certificate and a 50th Anniversary Commemorative Medal sent to Alatorre by the U.S. government.

Some of the medal recipients

The night ended with lots of spirits and dancing to music provided by the B-Side Players and DJ Wicho.

“Whether you fought in the Vietnam war or [were] against it, or too young to be affected or shaped by it,” Alatorre said, “it is important for our children to understand the sacrifices that were made by our troops in Vietnam.”

(corrected 5/4, 7:30 p.m.)

Comments
Sponsored

The latest copy of the Reader

Please enjoy this clickable Reader flipbook. Linked text and ads are flash-highlighted in blue for your convenience. To enhance your viewing, please open full screen mode by clicking the icon on the far right of the black flipbook toolbar.

Here's something you might be interested in.
Submit a free classified
or view all
Previous article

Conservatives cry, “Turnabout is fair gay!”

Will Three See Eight’s Fate?
Next Article

Haunted Trail of Balboa Park, ZZ Top, Gem Diego Show

Events October 31-November 2, 2024
Comments
Ask a Hipster — Advice you didn't know you needed Big Screen — Movie commentary Blurt — Music's inside track Booze News — San Diego spirits Classical Music — Immortal beauty Classifieds — Free and easy Cover Stories — Front-page features Drinks All Around — Bartenders' drink recipes Excerpts — Literary and spiritual excerpts Feast! — Food & drink reviews Feature Stories — Local news & stories Fishing Report — What’s getting hooked from ship and shore From the Archives — Spotlight on the past Golden Dreams — Talk of the town The Gonzo Report — Making the musical scene, or at least reporting from it Letters — Our inbox Movies@Home — Local movie buffs share favorites Movie Reviews — Our critics' picks and pans Musician Interviews — Up close with local artists Neighborhood News from Stringers — Hyperlocal news News Ticker — News & politics Obermeyer — San Diego politics illustrated Outdoors — Weekly changes in flora and fauna Overheard in San Diego — Eavesdropping illustrated Poetry — The old and the new Reader Travel — Travel section built by travelers Reading — The hunt for intellectuals Roam-O-Rama — SoCal's best hiking/biking trails San Diego Beer — Inside San Diego suds SD on the QT — Almost factual news Sheep and Goats — Places of worship Special Issues — The best of Street Style — San Diego streets have style Surf Diego — Real stories from those braving the waves Theater — On stage in San Diego this week Tin Fork — Silver spoon alternative Under the Radar — Matt Potter's undercover work Unforgettable — Long-ago San Diego Unreal Estate — San Diego's priciest pads Your Week — Daily event picks
4S Ranch Allied Gardens Alpine Baja Balboa Park Bankers Hill Barrio Logan Bay Ho Bay Park Black Mountain Ranch Blossom Valley Bonita Bonsall Borrego Springs Boulevard Campo Cardiff-by-the-Sea Carlsbad Carmel Mountain Carmel Valley Chollas View Chula Vista City College City Heights Clairemont College Area Coronado CSU San Marcos Cuyamaca College Del Cerro Del Mar Descanso Downtown San Diego Eastlake East Village El Cajon Emerald Hills Encanto Encinitas Escondido Fallbrook Fletcher Hills Golden Hill Grant Hill Grantville Grossmont College Guatay Harbor Island Hillcrest Imperial Beach Imperial Valley Jacumba Jamacha-Lomita Jamul Julian Kearny Mesa Kensington La Jolla Lakeside La Mesa Lemon Grove Leucadia Liberty Station Lincoln Acres Lincoln Park Linda Vista Little Italy Logan Heights Mesa College Midway District MiraCosta College Miramar Miramar College Mira Mesa Mission Beach Mission Hills Mission Valley Mountain View Mount Hope Mount Laguna National City Nestor Normal Heights North Park Oak Park Ocean Beach Oceanside Old Town Otay Mesa Pacific Beach Pala Palomar College Palomar Mountain Paradise Hills Pauma Valley Pine Valley Point Loma Point Loma Nazarene Potrero Poway Rainbow Ramona Rancho Bernardo Rancho Penasquitos Rancho San Diego Rancho Santa Fe Rolando San Carlos San Marcos San Onofre Santa Ysabel Santee San Ysidro Scripps Ranch SDSU Serra Mesa Shelltown Shelter Island Sherman Heights Skyline Solana Beach Sorrento Valley Southcrest South Park Southwestern College Spring Valley Stockton Talmadge Temecula Tierrasanta Tijuana UCSD University City University Heights USD Valencia Park Valley Center Vista Warner Springs
Close

Anchor ads are not supported on this page.

This Week’s Reader This Week’s Reader