Editor, OBSERVER:

On March 29, we will be observing National Vietnam Veterans Day. On this day, we honor more than 3 million Americans who served in and around a country in Southeast Asia that most had never heard of until they were asked to risk their lives for it.

On this day, we remember the 58,318 dead whose names are engraved on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., a list that does not include thousands of subsequent deaths due to Agent Orange-related illnesses, suicide and other conditions related to their time in service. On this day, we say “welcome home” to the men and women who at times were jeered and disrespected because they answered their nation’s call, but those who served knew quite well why they were there.

Our nation has come a long way in healing, and that generation of veterans has proudly seen to it that those who served in the Gulf War and the global war on terrorism felt the support they didn’t. And they understand better than most the honorable nature of military service, period.

President Ronald Reagan said: “The men and women who fought for freedom in a place where liberty was in danger, sacrificed their lives in the names of duty, honor and country. All were patriots who lit the world with fidelity and courage.”

RICHARD LANCASTER,

U.S. Army, 1964-67,

Westfield