‘In Memory’ of the Vietnam Veterans Who Died After The War
In Memory Day at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, 2010
After The Wall was dedicated in Washington, D.C. in 1982, physical and emotional wounds continued to plague a generation of heroes. For many Vietnam veterans, the horrors of war manifested itself into post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Others suffered from Agent Orange-related illnesses including: Parkinson’s disease, diabetes, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, and cancer. Too many have lost their lives.
The sacrifices of Vietnam extend past the more than 58,000 service men and women who lost their lives during the war.
The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund (VVMF) wants to ensure that these veterans are never forgotten. VVMF’s In Memory program honors Vietnam veterans whose lives were cut short as a result of their service in Vietnam, but are not eligible for inscription on The Wall under Department of Defense guidelines. In Memory is a way that all Vietnam veterans can be honored on the National Mall.
“As many military families from the Vietnam War know, those who returned came home to many different challenges,” said Wall Volunteer Cyndy Hollender-Stancliff.
Cyndy’s first husband, John Hollender, served in the U.S. Army in Vietnam from 1967 through 1968. And like so many others, John wasn’t the same when he returned. He passed away in 1994 as a result of his PTSD.
“For families who lost their veteran to service-connected issues such as: PTSD, cancer, ischemic heart disease and other Agent Orange-related medical issues, there was no healing. There was no honor for the veteran, just the loss of our loved one,” Cyndy adds.
Every year in June, VVMF hosts the In Memory Day Ceremony. Loved ones come together to recognize the veterans they lost and meet other family members who shared similar experiences. Attendees are given a tribute of their veteran and have the opportunity to read their loved one’s name on the National Mall in a moving ceremony attended by thousands.
Cyndy honored her husband through the In Memory program in 2000. “It became much more than just honoring him, it became a healing process for me,” she said. “It allowed me to put closure on a difficult time in my life and move forward.”
When many Vietnam veterans returned home, an ungrateful nation awaited them. There were no parades, grand gestures of thanks, and little fanfare. Families and friends see In Memory Day as recognition for those who died from Agent Orange exposure and PTSD.
In Memory began in 1999 and has since honored more than 2,800 veterans. A memorial page for every veteran in the program can be found on the In Memory Honor Roll at: http://www.vvmf.org/Honor-Roll.
This year’s In Memory Day ceremony will be held on June 17 on the East Knoll of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. The deadline for loved ones to apply to honor a Vietnam veteran for the ceremony has been extended to April 14.
To honor a loved one, you can submit an online application. Along with the application, you need to submit the veteran’s DD214 to show their proof of service in Vietnam, a copy of their death certificate and a photograph.
In Memory Plaque
A plaque that honors these veterans was dedicated as a part of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in 2004. It reads: In Memory of the men and women who served in the Vietnam War and later died as a result of their service. We honor and remember their sacrifice.
It is never too late to honor those who served, especially those who suffered long after the war’s ending.
The In Memory program is made possible by generous supporters. To donate to the program or learn more about In Memory, please visit http://www.vvmf.org/InMemory.
I did not have the honor of service. I was only a 6-year old when Walter Cronkite interrupted afternoon television to announce the TET Offensive. I asked parents what that was. They had no idea. I Remember the DISGRACE earned by the American civilians as they Insulted the poor young men who came home to rejection and alienation after giving their bodies and minds to the war effort. All my elders could say was “boy are we blessed that you’re too young to be sent over to that horrible place with those poor boys”.
GOD BLESS ALL YOU BRAVE & COURAGEOUS SOULS; For Anyone Who Ever Followed or Paid Attention, YOU SET A SHINING EXAMPLE FOR EVERYONE WHO NEEDS TO UNDERSTAND WHAT THE UNITED STATES’ WAY OF LIFE COSTS. OUR SAFETY AND COMFORTS WE TAKE FOR GRANTED.
I SALUTE YOU EACH AND EVERY LADY AND GENTLEMAN WHO SERVED IN ANY CAPACITY!
GOD BLESS, GOD BLESS YOU ALL!
—Harry B.
age 55
Boardman, Ohio
I have PTSD and suicide is on my mind all the time.All the meds that the VA gives me don’t do anygood,and when ya tell them about it they just switch ya to something else that does not work either.I just wish it would all end!!!
I pray that they find something that works on your depression. My brother was in the Viet Nam war and committed suicide years later. I miss him very much. I know he suffered from PTSD and didn’t get proper treatment either. May God bless you.
Hello Ed. Thank you for your service. My husband passed away this year (heart disease) and was a Vietnam veteran. There is a suicide hotline specifically for veterans such as yourself where you can get some help immediately. The phone number is 800-273-8255, press 1. Please remember you are not alone. Bless you and peace to your heart.
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My brother died due to agent orange. Pvt. First class Lawrence C. Bishop. His name is not on the list.
Catherine,
We are sorry to hear about the passing of your brother. To have a Vietnam veteran honored through the In Memory program, loved ones must fill out an application. We are currently accepting applications for the 2020 program. To apply to honor your brother, you can fill out an application here: http://www.vvmf.org/InMemory