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The first museum in Australia to commemorate the Vietnamese refugee experience will be built in Melbourne’s western suburbs. (Supplied)

Episode 3393 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the Vietnamese Museum coming to Australia. The featured story is titled: Vietnamese Museum Australia breaks ground in Melbourne. It was from ABC and was submitted by Max Walden

Walden reported that the Vietnamese Museum Australia, the first museum in Australia dedicated to the Vietnamese refugee experience, is becoming a reality in Melbourne’s western suburbs. This historic project honors the extraordinary courage, resilience, and sacrifices of Vietnamese refugees while recognizing the greatness of our Vietnam War veterans who served with honor, bravery, and unwavering dedication.

Marking 50 years since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975, the groundbreaking ceremony in Sunshine represents a powerful milestone for the Vietnamese Australian community. More than 60,000 Australian service personnel served in Vietnam, and 521 Australian troops made the ultimate sacrifice. These brave Vietnam veterans deserve our deepest gratitude, respect, and recognition for their service, sacrifice, and commitment to freedom.

Following the communist victory in Vietnam, approximately two million Vietnamese people fled their homeland, many risking dangerous journeys across the sea. Tragically, estimates suggest that as many as 10 percent died during these perilous escapes. Thousands of Vietnamese refugees found a new home in Australia, helping shape the nation’s multicultural identity and strengthening the bonds between Vietnamese Australians and Australian Vietnam War veterans.

The Victorian government has committed an additional $2 million to the museum, building on previous state funding of $6.67 million. Federal government grants and community fundraising have also helped bring this historic vision closer to completion.

For Vietnamese Australians, the museum will preserve the stories of Vietnamese boat people, South Vietnamese soldiers, refugee families, and fallen heroes. It will also serve as a place of remembrance for those who sacrificed their lives in pursuit of freedom and those still awaiting proper recognition and burial.

Most importantly, Vietnamese Museum Australia stands as a lasting tribute to our Vietnam veterans, their courage, their sacrifices, and their enduring legacy. Their service must never be forgotten. By preserving history, honoring fallen soldiers, and educating future generations, Australia can ensure that the extraordinary contributions of Vietnam War veterans and the Vietnamese refugee community remain forever part of our national story.

Lest We Forget. Honor Our Vietnam Veterans. Remember Their Sacrifice. Celebrate Freedom.

Listen to episode 3393 and discover more about the Vietnamese Museum coming to Australia.

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Frederick Wallace Smith, Vietnam Veteran, Silver Star recipient, business magnate, investor and philanthropist

Episode 3392 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature the reasons why Fred Smith is a tremendous representative of the Vietnam Veteran generation.

Frederick Wallace Smith, the remarkable Vietnam War veteran and founder of Federal Express (FedEx), lived a life defined by courage, leadership, determination, and service to America. Born on August 11, 1944, in Marks, Mississippi, Smith overcame a childhood bone disease and developed a passion for aviation while still a teenager. After earning an economics degree from Yale University in 1966, he answered the call to serve his country by joining the United States Marine Corps.

Smith served two tours of duty in South Vietnam, working as a platoon leader and forward air controller aboard an OV-10 aircraft. His military service placed him in dangerous combat situations where courage, quick thinking, and decisive leadership meant the difference between life and death.

On May 27, 1968, during a fierce engagement on Gò Nổi Island in Quảng Nam Province, Smith demonstrated extraordinary bravery. Under intense enemy fire, he rescued wounded Marines, encouraged his men, directed artillery and air strikes, and led an aggressive attack that helped defeat the opposing North Vietnamese force. His actions earned him the Silver Star for gallantry, along with the Bronze Star Medal and two Purple Hearts. He was honorably discharged in 1969 as a Marine Corps captain.

Fred Smith’s story also illustrates the determination and ambition that helped transform American business. In 1971, he founded Federal Express, pioneering an integrated air-and-ground delivery system that revolutionized overnight shipping and global logistics.

Although widely recognized as a business visionary, Smith’s legacy extends far beyond commerce. His service represents the courage, sacrifice, and greatness of Vietnam veterans who faced extraordinary challenges while serving their nation.

Frederick Wallace Smith died on June 21, 2025, at age 80, and was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery.

Vietnam Veteran Fred Smith deserves recognition not only as the founder of FedEx but also as a decorated Marine officer whose battlefield bravery exemplifies the honor, sacrifice, and enduring legacy of America’s Vietnam veterans.

Listen to episode 3392 and discover more about why Fred Smith is a tremendous Vietnam Veteran

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Jerry Ewen, of Greybull, was recently honored with an interim Congressional Gold Medal for his service as an air ambulance pilot in the Vietnam War.

Episode 3391 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the awarded Wyoming Vietnam War medevac pilot. The featured story is titled; Greybull man receives Congressional Gold Medal.  It appeared on the Newsbreak website and was submitted by Avery Howe.

Howe reported that Jerry Ewen of Greybull, Wyoming, has received long-overdue recognition for his extraordinary service as a Vietnam War air ambulance pilot. Ewen was honored with an interim Congressional Gold Medal for his life-saving work evacuating wounded American soldiers from Vietnam’s dangerous battlefields.

Serving from 1968 to 1969 with the 498th and 54th Medical Companies, Ewen flew the UH-1H Huey helicopter as part of a four-man Dustoff crew. Under the motto “So Others May Live,” these courageous Vietnam veterans risked their lives flying into hostile territory to rescue wounded troops, often under enemy fire.

During his service, Ewen participated in 1,123 medical evacuation missions, helping rescue approximately 2,300 patients. Across the Vietnam War, air ambulance crews flew nearly five million combat missions and rescued approximately 900,000 wounded personnel.

One unforgettable mission involved rescuing a young girl who had suffered traumatic injuries from a Claymore mine. The heartbreaking experience stayed with Ewen for decades, illustrating the emotional burdens carried by Vietnam veterans long after returning home.

Unfortunately, many Vietnam veterans returned to America without the appreciation and respect they deserved. The Congressional Gold Medal represents an important step toward recognizing the sacrifices of Dustoff and Medevac crews. Following years of advocacy and more than 5,000 letters and emails supporting the effort, Congress passed the U.S. Army Air Ambulance Crews of the Vietnam War Congressional Gold Medal Act in 2024.

The medal honors veterans whose courage, dedication, and sacrifice helped save countless lives. With an estimated 30% attrition rate among air ambulance crews from those wounded or killed in action, their service came at an enormous cost.

Ewen believes the greatest reward was bringing wounded soldiers home to their families. His story represents the courage, compassion, patriotism, and greatness of our Vietnam veterans.

Vietnam veterans were heroes who answered their country’s call to duty. Their sacrifices deserve lasting recognition, gratitude, and respect for generations to come.

Listen to episode 3391 and discover more about the awarded Wyoming Vietnam War medevac pilot.

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Jorge Otero Bareto: The Legendary “Puerto Rican Rambo” and Vietnam War Hero

Episode 3389 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the reason the Puerto Rican Rambo, Jorge Otero Barreto should be awarded the Medal of Honor. The featured story is titled; Veterans call on Congress to award the ‘Puerto Rican Rambo’ the Medal of Honor. It appeared on the Yahoo website and was submitted by Blake Stilwell.

Stilwell reported that Jorge Otero Barreto, known as the “Puerto Rican Rambo,” stands among the most extraordinary American Vietnam War veterans in military history. Born in Vega Baja, Puerto Rico, in 1937, Barreto enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1959, choosing military service over a potential medical career. During five tours in Vietnam, he participated in more than 200 combat and aerial missions, was wounded five times, and earned 38 military decorations, including five Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars, and five Bronze Stars with Valor.

One of his most remarkable acts of courage occurred on February 17, 1968, during Operation Jeb Stuart near Quảng Trị, Vietnam. Serving with the 101st Airborne Division (Airmobile), Staff Sergeant Otero Barreto faced a devastating Viet Cong ambush. When the machine-gun crew was incapacitated, he took control of the weapon and delivered suppressive fire to protect his fellow American soldiers. Even after being struck by a rocket-propelled grenade, he continued fighting until his ammunition ran out. His extraordinary bravery earned him the Silver Star.

On May 1, 1968, during Operation Carentan II near Hue, Barreto again demonstrated exceptional battlefield leadership. As North Vietnamese Army forces attacked American positions, he led his men directly into intense enemy fire, assaulting fortified machine-gun positions and helping his company advance against determined resistance.

Today, many veterans and supporters believe his actions on May 1 deserve consideration for the Medal of Honor, America’s highest military decoration. Legislation introduced in Congress in July 2026 sought to waive statutory time limits to permit a posthumous award.

After retiring as a Sergeant First Class, Barreto returned to Puerto Rico and dedicated himself to helping fellow veterans struggling with post-traumatic stress and substance abuse.

Jorge Otero Barreto represents the courage, sacrifice, leadership, and patriotism of our Vietnam veterans. His remarkable story reminds America that the men and women who served during the Vietnam War deserve lasting respect, recognition, and gratitude. Their greatness lives on through their service, their sacrifices, and their unwavering commitment to one another.

Listen to episode 3390 and discover more about the reason the Puerto Rican Rambo, Jorge Otero Barreto should be awarded the Medal of Honor.

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U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow (Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund)

Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow

Episode 3389 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the bridge dedication for a fallen Vietnam Vet in Bucks County, PA. The featured story is titled; CB Graduate To Be Remembered With Bridge Dedication In Chalfont. It appeared on the Patch website and was submitted by Jeff Werner.

Werner reported that the greatness of America’s Vietnam veterans will be remembered as Bucks County, Pennsylvania, honors U.S. Army Specialist 4th Class Ronald Anthony Longfellow, a brave American soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice during the Vietnam War. The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and Bucks County will dedicate a bridge over Neshaminy Creek in Chalfont in his memory, preserving his legacy of courage, service, and sacrifice for future generations.

Born September 22, 1951, Ronald Longfellow grew up in a family of 10 children. His brother Jerry remembered him as a compassionate man who loved helping others. Whether giving neighborhood children motorcycle rides or volunteering at church bingo, Ronald demonstrated the kindness and generosity that characterized his life.

After graduating from Central Bucks High School in Doylestown, Longfellow was drafted into the United States Army in April 1971. Six months later, he deployed to Vietnam, serving as an infantryman with the Air Cavalry Troop of the 11th Armored Cavalry Regiment, the legendary Blackhorse Regiment.

On December 28, 1971, while serving as point man on a dismounted patrol in Bien Hoa Province, South Vietnam, Longfellow was seriously wounded when a booby trap detonated. He died from his wounds on January 19, 1972.

For his honorable military service, Longfellow received the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, and other military decorations recognizing his bravery and sacrifice.

His legacy continues through the Ronald Anthony Longfellow Memorial Scholarship, established to honor fallen Blackhorse troopers and support future generations. The Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund has also worked to preserve the memory of Bucks County servicemen and women who died in Vietnam.

This bridge dedication represents more than a memorial. It is a lasting tribute to Ronald Longfellow and to all Vietnam veterans who answered America’s call to duty. Their courage, patriotism, and sacrifice deserve our enduring gratitude and respect. We must never forget these American heroes or the families who carried the burden of their loss.

Honor our Vietnam veterans. Remember their sacrifice. Preserve their legacy.

Listen to episode 3389 and discover more about the bridge dedication for a fallen Vietnam Vet in Bucks County, PA.

Pennsylvania Vietnam Veterans

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VFW member Ken Rodgers, along with his wife, Betty, scout shooting locations for their 2021 documentary I Married the War on Nov. 3, 2016, on the coast of Sonoma County, Calif. After completing their award-winning 2011 documentary Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor, the couple wanted to expand on the stories of the wives of combat veterans.

Ken and Betty Rodgers.

Episode 3388 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about one hell of a story. The featured story is titled; One Hell of a Story. It appeared on the VFW website and was submitted by Danny Cook.

Cook reported that on April 1, 1968, Marine veteran Ken Rodgers looked back toward Khe Sanh Combat Base in Vietnam after surviving one of the most brutal battles of the Vietnam War. The 77-day Battle of Khe Sanh left 274 Marines and other military personnel dead and approximately 2,500 wounded. Rodgers himself suffered a head wound from a mortar blast, and fragments of shrapnel remain in his head to this day. His story represents the extraordinary courage, sacrifice, and resilience of our Vietnam veterans.

Determined to preserve the experiences of the men who fought at Khe Sanh, Ken and his wife, Betty Rodgers, created the award-winning 2011 documentary Bravo! Common Men, Uncommon Valor. The film features 14 Marine veterans and one Navy veteran recounting their combat experiences, daily struggles under siege, heroic actions, and heartbreaking losses, including the tragic ambush of the Ghost Patrol on February 25, 1968.

Through interviews, photographs, historical recordings, and archival footage, the documentary ensures that the voices of these American Vietnam War veterans will not be forgotten. At a 2011 reunion screening, surviving veterans expressed deep appreciation for finally having their stories heard and acknowledged after years of feeling misunderstood and mistreated upon returning home.

Rodgers believes the film’s greatest achievement is giving these courageous servicemen a platform to share the truth about their experiences. Their stories demonstrate that Vietnam veterans were not losers, but American patriots who endured extraordinary hardships and demonstrated uncommon valor.

In 2016, Bravo! received the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution Founders Medal for Patriotism. Ken and Betty later produced I Married the War (2021), documenting the experiences of 11 military wives and the challenges families face because of PTSD, traumatic brain injuries, and combat-related injuries.

The Rodgers family’s work honors the greatness of all Vietnam veterans, preserves military history, and reminds future generations of the courage, sacrifice, and humanity behind the Vietnam War. Their mission ensures that these American heroes receive the recognition, respect, and gratitude they have always deserved.

Listen to episode 3388 and discover more about one hell of a story.

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Episode 3387 – The Wall That Heals is coming to Cookeville, TN

Episode 3387 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the visit of the Wall That Heals to Coookeville, TN. The featured story is titled; Volunteers Needed As Putnam Prepares For Wall Arrival. It appeared on the UCNOW website and was submitted by UCNOW staff.

It was reported that The Wall That Heals is coming to Putnam County, Tennessee, offering a powerful opportunity to honor the courage, sacrifice, and greatness of America’s Vietnam veterans and remember the fallen heroes who gave their lives during the Vietnam War.

Mayor Randy Porter and county officials are preparing to welcome the traveling Vietnam Veterans Memorial to the new fairgrounds later this month. Open 24 hours a day, this moving memorial will allow veterans, Gold Star families, friends, and visitors to pay tribute to the men and women who served our country during one of its most challenging periods.

Volunteers are needed to assist elderly and handicapped visitors, answer questions, and help ensure that everyone can experience the memorial safely and comfortably. Individuals and organizations can register for volunteer shifts through the county website.

The exhibit is scheduled to arrive Tuesday, October 21, accompanied by a motorcycle escort beginning at Avery Trace School. The procession will travel down Spring Street, pass the courthouse lawn, and continue to the fairgrounds, arriving between noon and 12:30 p.m.

Putnam County previously set a State of Tennessee attendance record when the exhibit visited Cookeville in 2018, attracting more than 30,000 visitors. Organizers hope the improved parking and convenient interstate access will help break that record.

The memorial bears the names of nine Putnam County servicemen who died in Vietnam: Wayman Clay Elrod, James Farley, Augusto Garcia, Carl Gilbert, Jerry Hickey, James C.R. Lewis, Calvin Norris, Bobby Polk, and Johnny Wright Jr.

For Mayor Porter, honoring Vietnam veterans is deeply personal. His father was a Vietnam veteran, and Porter believes these heroes deserve the recognition and appreciation they did not always receive when they returned home.

The Wall That Heals brings the Vietnam Veterans Memorial experience to people unable to travel to Washington, D.C. For surviving veterans, families, and fellow soldiers, seeing a familiar name can bring back powerful memories and emotions.

Let us honor all our Vietnam veterans for their patriotism, courage, service, and sacrifice. Their legacy deserves our gratitude, our respect, and our everlasting remembrance.

Listen to episode 3387 and discover more about the visit of the Wall That Heals to Coookevill, TN.

Putnam County Website

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Karen Springer

Episode 3386 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Army Nurse Karen Sringer being awarded a Quilt of Valor. The featured story is titled; Vietnam War-era Army nurse honored with Quilt of Valor in Buxton. It appeared on the Island Free Press website and was submitted by Joy Crist.

Crist reported that the greatness of our Vietnam Veterans deserves to be remembered, honored, and celebrated. On Monday, October 5, Vietnam War-era U.S. Army Nurse Corps veteran E. Karen Springer received a heartfelt tribute when she was presented with a Quilt of Valor during a special ceremony at the Cape Hatteras Anglers Club in Buxton, North Carolina.

Springer served as a U.S. Army nurse during the Vietnam War, providing stateside medical care during a difficult and demanding period in American military history. Although she did not serve overseas in Vietnam, her military service represented an important contribution to the effort to care for America’s soldiers. Her recognition reminds us that every Vietnam veteran has a story worth telling and a service record worth honoring.

The ceremony was organized through the combined efforts of the Hatteras Island Quilters and the Quilts of Valor Foundation Group No. 51203, based in Conway, South Carolina. Kathleen Armel, a member of the Conway group, helped arrange the presentation after learning about Springer’s military background and discovering that she had never received a Quilt of Valor.

The Quilts of Valor Foundation is a national nonprofit organization dedicated to recognizing military service members and veterans affected by war. Each handmade quilt represents gratitude, comfort, healing, and appreciation for those who have served our country. The ceremony also demonstrated the power of communities coming together to recognize veterans whose contributions might otherwise go unacknowledged.

Armel was surprised to discover that no Quilts of Valor groups were based on the Outer Banks, with the nearest group she identified located near Raleigh-Durham. By working together, the local quilters and South Carolina volunteers brought this meaningful recognition to Springer.

Vietnam Veterans, including Army nurses and other medical professionals, demonstrated dedication, courage, and commitment to duty. Their contributions deserve lasting respect. Honoring E. Karen Springer reminds us that the greatness of America’s Vietnam veteran generation extends across every military specialty and every form of service.

Learn more about the Quilts of Valor Foundation, its mission, and how to nominate a deserving veteran at https://www.qovf.org/.

Listen to episode 3386 and discover more about Army Nurse Karen Sringer being awarded a Quilt of Valor.

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Laos map

Images from Vantor show how a new joint China-Laos airfield in Ban Keun, Laos, has progressed since December 2025.
Vantor

Images from Vantor show how a new joint China-Laos airfield in Ban Keun, Laos, has progressed since December 2025.

Episode 3385 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about the new Chinese air base in Laos. The featured story is titled; This old CIA airfield is now a Chinese base. It appeared on the CNN website and was submitted by Brad Lendon and Isaac Yee.

It was reported that a former CIA airfield used during the Vietnam War has become the site of a new Chinese military outpost in northwestern Laos, connecting the history of America’s secret wartime operations with today’s growing strategic competition in Southeast Asia. For those interested in Vietnam War history, American military operations, CIA covert missions, and the legacy of our Vietnam veterans, this development offers a remarkable look at how the past continues to shape the present.

The new installation, located at Ban Keun Airport in Laos, includes the China-Laos Joint Support and Training Center and the China-Laos Friendship Aviation Academy. China’s Defense Ministry announced that the facilities began operating on September 29. Satellite imagery shows a completed 6,500-foot runway, taxiways, aircraft parking areas, and eight aircraft that may be Hongdu JL-8 jet trainers.

During the Vietnam War, the airfield served as a logistics and support hub for Air America, the CIA-operated airline that supported secret operations throughout the region. These missions formed part of a complicated chapter in the broader Vietnam War, involving intelligence gathering, transportation, supply operations, and military support across Southeast Asia.

This history reminds us of the extraordinary dedication, courage, and professionalism demonstrated by American Vietnam veterans, including military aviators, helicopter crews, intelligence personnel, ground troops, and support specialists. These men and women served under demanding conditions, often in dangerous and little-understood operations. Their contributions deserve recognition and remembrance.

Today, China describes the new base as a joint training facility intended to strengthen Laos’s air force and promote regional stability. However, the development comes amid wider Chinese military expansion, including infrastructure investments at Cambodia’s Ream Naval Base. Analysts caution that the Laos installation does not necessarily represent a major shift in the military balance or a direct threat to American forces.

Vietnam War history is not merely a story about the past. Former wartime locations continue to influence international relations, military strategy, and the balance of power in Southeast Asia.

Through Vietnam Veteran News, we honor the greatness, sacrifice, service, and enduring legacy of all our Vietnam veterans, ensuring their experiences and contributions are never forgotten.

Listen to episode 3385 and discover more about China rehabbing a former Air America base in Laos.

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The first group of prisoners waits for their names to be called at Gia Lam Airport before boarding a C-141A. Everett Alvarez Jr., one of the longest-held American prisoners of the war, heads the line. U.S. Air Force photo

Episode 3384 of the Vietnam Veteran News Podcast will feature a story about Operation Homecoming. The featured story is titled; Operation Homecoming 1973: The Hanoi Taxi Flies the POWs Home. It appeared on the Migflug website and was submitted by Tamika Johnson.

Johnson reported that on February 12, 1973, one of the most emotional chapters in Vietnam War history began when the Hanoi Taxi, a U.S. Air Force C-141A Starlifter, arrived at Gia Lam Airport in Hanoi, North Vietnam. Its mission was extraordinary: bring home America’s courageous Vietnam War prisoners of war (POWs) after years of captivity, torture, starvation, and uncertainty.

The first flight carried 116 American POWs as part of Operation Homecoming, the historic airlift that ultimately returned 591 American prisoners from captivity in Vietnam, Laos, and China. These brave servicemen had endured unimaginable hardships while demonstrating the extraordinary courage, determination, and patriotism that define America’s Vietnam veteran generation.

Leading the first group was Navy pilot Everett Alvarez Jr., who had been shot down on August 5, 1964, and endured more than eight years of imprisonment. Other returning heroes included Navy officer Jeremiah Denton, who famously blinked the word TORTURE in Morse code during a propaganda interview, and Air Force Lieutenant Colonel Robinson Risner, a respected leader among the POWs.

After taking off from Hanoi, the aircraft erupted with cheers, laughter, tears, and embraces. For these American heroes, the sound of freedom was finally real. Their journey continued to Clark Air Base in the Philippines, Travis Air Force Base in California, and military hospitals closer to their families.

The Paris Peace Accords, signed January 27, 1973, established the framework for the prisoner releases. Operation Homecoming continued through early April, bringing long-awaited reunions to families across America.

Yet these men’s greatness extends far beyond their return. The Vietnam veteran POWs demonstrated remarkable resilience, loyalty to fellow prisoners, and unwavering devotion to their country under the most brutal conditions. Their sacrifices deserve lasting recognition and respect.

Today, the legendary Hanoi Taxi is displayed at the National Museum of the U.S. Air Force in Dayton, Ohio, preserving a powerful reminder of Operation Homecoming 1973.

God bless America and all our Vietnam veteran POWs. Their courage, sacrifice, and perseverance will forever stand as a testament to the greatness of the American military generation that served during the Vietnam War.

 Listen to episode 3384 and discover more about Operation Homecoming.