I know it’s been a long time and that’s on me. So please forgive me, promise to do a lot better.

I would like to start by saying Happy Anniversary to us.  Amazingly, we have reached the 35-year mark.  I couldn’t think of a better way to communicate to you where we were in the beginning and where we are now.  So, let’s start:

May of 1988 - Our memorial on Manor Rd and Martling Ave was dedicated to the memory of our 85 fallen brothers. General Westmorland was the guest speaker. Then just a few months after that on a memorable night in September the Vietnam Veterans of America, Thomas J. Tori Chapter 421 held its first meeting at the Armory.

 1990 - with the POW/MIA issue was at its height the members of this chapter became active in the Free the Eagle movement. “Free the Eagle” was a rallying cry to bring attention to the fate of our POW-MIA’s.  Vietnam Veterans across the country sent hundreds of thousands of signed proclamations to Congress insisting that they answer the call. With that movement and the pressure from the League of Families, Congress had no choice but to agree to move on it.

 1993 – Saw the formation of the Chapter’s Honor Guard. Its purpose was to honor our 85 brothers every year on the second Sunday in June. That annual event became known as the Day of Remembrance. To this day we have over 200 families and friends attending this annual event at the Memorial grounds.   Additionally, the Chapter’s Honor Guard, at the family’s request, pays a final salute with a solemn ceremony at the veteran’s wake.

 1995 – We established a program called “The Vietnam Experience”.  A few of us, by invitation only, go into schools and educate students on what Vietnam was like and what we experienced during our tour in Vietnam. This program has been very successful over the years and is still going strong.

 1998 – The chapter started the “Vets Helping Vets” program. This program was put in place to let the veteran and local officials know that we are here to help those veterans.

 2012 – The lack of maintenance of the Memorial grounds by the State showed that there was a need to get control of the Memorial grounds. 

With the help of State Representative Michael Cusick, we were able to secure a renewable 5-year lease for the grounds, giving us the ability to maintain the grounds. It was then renamed “The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park”.

 2013 – To make sure our POWs and MIAs were not forgotten, we brought the POW/MIA Recognition Day to Memorial Park. It is a full service, and hundreds attend the annual event.

 2014 – We started a construction project for the beautification of Memorial Park.

2020 – A scholarship program was initiated to help students with the cost of supplies and books

 2023 – The addition of the Agent Orange, History of Vietnam, and the POW/MIA monuments brought to a completion the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Park Beautification Project.

 2023 – This past October, at the Staaten on Forest Ave., the Chapter celebrated our 35th anniversary with a dinner dance. It was a great night.

 2023 – Our membership has grown to over 250.

 I know this was a lot for a message, but I think it important that we all know how far this chapter has come and what we accomplished.

 Before I close, I would like to bring something to your attention.  It is just a reminder or wake up call.

Vietnam left us all with scars, things that happened both in country and at home. Through all that we stuck together; we formed a brotherhood unlike any other and we promised ourselves that we will never forget.  But above all, that we would not let those that were not there ever forget the sacrifices that our brothers made.  That being said, why is it that so many of you are missing at the Day of Remembrance and the POW/MIA ceremonies.  For the brothers that do attend, I commend you on your promise to keep their memory and their sacrifice alive.  For the ones that choose to sit home on those days I ask you to commit yourself and remember these words once again.

 “NEVER AGAIN WILL ONE GENERATION OF VETERANS ABANDON ANOTHER”

                                                                   &

                                       “WE WILL NEVER FORGET”

Brothers Forever