Vietnam vets to be remembered at Capitol gathering

Kleven's squad
An Army squad in Vietnam during the war.
Photo courtesy of Dan Kleven

An estimated 5,000 veterans and their families are expected to gather on the Minnesota State Capitol grounds Saturday to remember those who served in Vietnam.

The event includes a prayer service, remembrance ceremony and a roll call of Minnesota veterans killed in action and missing in action.

Clark Dyrud with the Minnesota Veterans Affairs Commission says the gathering is also a chance for Vietnam veterans to re-connect with each other.

"It's just kind of a chance for Vietnam veterans to get together," Dyrud said. "There are reunion tents set up where you can log in if you were a member of a division or a unit, and just see if anyone else is here that day from that part of the unit."

Dyrud said Vietnam vets didn't get the welcome home they deserved after the war.

"I think the one thing that our country has learned very clearly is that you separate the warrior from the war," he said. "I think there is just an appreciation of the actual service of Vietnam vets."

A USO-type show will be held in the evening, with entertainment from impersonators of Bob Hope and Elvis.

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