Then & Now: Memorial depicting Vietnam battle was dedicated 17 years ago.

Then & Now: Memorial depicting Vietnam battle was dedicated 17 years
ago.

(EXCERPT) By Scott Huddleston San Antonio Express-News

Web Posted : 11/09/2003 12:00 AM

For many local veterans who had served in Southeast Asia and returned
to indifference at home, dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial
in San Antonio 17 years ago allowed the emotional healing to begin.

A river of tears flowed that day through the area now known as
Veterans Memorial Plaza, in front of Municipal Auditorium. A bronze
memorial titled "Hill 881 South" was unveiled for more than 5,000
people who gathered to recall those who had served in an unpopular
war, including at least 58,000 Americans killed or missing.

Retired Gen. William C. Westmoreland, who had commanded U.S. ground
troops in Vietnam from 1964 to 1968, was the keynote speaker at the
dedication on a bright Sunday afternoon on Nov. 9, 1986. He called it
a day for all Vietnam veterans to finally feel a part of the American
society.

"Before, they were physically at home but didn't feel accepted. Now
it's a reality," Westmoreland said that day, accor...

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---------------------------
Otis Willie
Associate Librarian
The American War Library
http://www.americanwarlibrary.com