Hundreds of Vietnam veterans were given the chance to reflect on their journey during the dedication of a new park Saturday at The Museum of Flight.
“We gather in respect for all our Vietnam veterans, each and everyone one of you, including those who came home and too often failed to be recognized,” keynote speaker former U.S. Defense Secretary James Mattis said during the park dedication.
Mattis said the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park is dedicated to those who paid their patriotic dues; many not even old enough to vote.
“In war, you were good soldiers and in peace, you have been wonderful citizens. You Vietnam vets have made this a better country,” Mattis said.
“This is a welcome home that we didn't feel at the end to the Vietnam war,” Vietnam veteran Roger Rosenberry said.
Vietnam veteran John Isakson said he flew 150 combat missions in a B-52 Bomber during the war.
“We rode around the world backwards. We don’t know where we're going but we know where we've been,” said Isakson.
The park honors vets like Isakson with a statue of an original Vietnam-era B-52 Bomber.
The Museum of Flight is offering free admission Memorial Day weekend to veterans, but you do not need to enter the museum to visit the Vietnam Veteran Memorial Park. The park is located behind the museums Aviation Pavilion.