Vietnam War Veterans commemorated

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Jessica Haynie
  • 14th Flying Training Wing Public Affairs
COLUMBUS AIR FORCE BASE, Miss. --  Columbus Air Force Base hosted a Vietnam War commemoration pinning ceremony to honor and recognize local Vietnam veterans , Mar. 29, 2021 at the Columbus Air Force Base Exchange.

U.S. Air Force Col. Jeffrey Welborn, 14th Mission Support Group commander, shared a few words and expressed his gratitude to the Veterans in attendance.

“I do not think any amount of thanks or words can truly reflect the service you all provided during the Vietnam War,” said Welborn. “I think the most important thing we can do as a nation, as an Air Force is to continue to remember the service that was provided during that time and remember those service members who are still missing, who did not come home.”

Of the service members who attended retired U.S. Air Force Tech. Sgt. Jack Mercer expressed his gratitude for the military, stating that serving in the military is a great personal growth opportunity and place to start a career.

According to the National Archives, a total of 58,220 military members lost their lives during the Vietnam War.

A total of 1,585 Americans are still listed as remain missing according to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency.