For retired Marine Corps Col. and Medal of Honor recipient Barney Barnum, Vietnam War Veterans Day has a twofold meaning.
Celebrated annually on March 29 since 2017, Barnum the day provides an opportunity for Vietnam vets like himself to show pride in their service. He also said the day is a chance for the public to thank veterans of the conflict.
“I think it’s a chance for Vietnam vets to pause and reflect on who they are, what they did, what they accomplished, and to think about the guys who fought on their left and their right,” he said in a VA blog post.
Even though the Vietnam war was unpopular at the time, Barnum said American efforts led to the fall of communism, including the Berlin Wall in 1991.
“Be proud of your service,” he urged his fellow veterans. “Being a vet is an honor.”
He added that attending and participating in events honoring Vietnam War Veterans Day is a chance to honor the fallen.
“If you see events are going to be staged and conducted and you’re within a reasonable amount of travel time, you ought to go,” he said. “By going there, you may feel good about it, but you’re also going to be representing the Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, Marines, and Coasties that can’t go because they paid the ultimate sacrifice.
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"So, as a sign that their lives were not lost in vain, show up and go arm-and-arm for those who are not going to be able to be there. It will show a little bit of unity and, who knows, you may bump into buddies you haven’t seen in 50 years.”
Barnum said the day is an opportunity for the public to ask questions and listen.
“Stop talking and listen to some of these guys when they start to talk and hear what they’re saying,” he said.
Various organizations across the country are hosting events to mark the day, including at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington, D.C., and traveling walls across the country.
Barnum encourages Vietnam veterans to visit these memorials. He said his first visit was on a trip back from a banquet in Washington, D.C. As he walked to the wall, a group of a dozen college kids heading north to go skiing recognized Barnum. He talked to them for about two hours about his service, which opened up some long-suppressed feelings.
“It helped,” he said, adding that talking about service is easier than holding onto grief. “A heavy load is easier to carry if you split it up,” he said.
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Barnum said he visits the wall frequently and experiences a wide range of emotions. The hardest times are on a beautiful day when he sees his reflection over the name of a fallen service member. Despite those times,
Barnum said visiting the memorial is important to pay tribute to fallen comrades.
“I think the beauty of the wall is its simplicity,” he said. “I like the logical order of people who are listed on the wall by the order that they gave their life in support of this great country. It makes you realize the sacrifices our young warriors made in Vietnam.”
Barnum first arrived in Vietnam in December 1965, serving with 2d Battalion, 9th Marines. He was soon on an operation coming out of the mountains near Ky Phu. Barnum’s company was providing rear security for the battalion moved out of the mountains when the enemy ambushed the entire battalion, killing the company commander and radio operator.
Barnum said he assumed command of Hotel Company having served with them five days. Calling in artillery fire, Barnum raced out to recover the dying commander and radio. He then led the unit throughout the intense battle. They eventually broke contact with the enemy and joined up with the remainder of the battalion.
After receiving the Medal of Honor in 1967, Barnum requested to go back to Vietnam, returning in 1968. Barnum built over a dozen firebases while serving as a battery commander during Operation Dewey Canyon.
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“People say ‘Thank you for your service,’” Barnum said. “My comment is, ‘It was an honor to serve.’ I think that’s the reason I wanted to go back. I’m a Marine.”
Barnum continues to serve, helping with the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation and visiting veterans near his Northern Virginia home.
“There are times if I’m down in the dumps, I’ll get in the car and go over to Bethesda (Walter Reed National Military Medical Center) and visit troops on the ward,” he said. “I get all fired up because they are magnificent bastards. They really are. I’m so proud of them for all they’ve accomplished.”
You can learn about events in their local community by visiting here. The site allows visitors to search within a 1-100 mile distance of a zip code. Events are held throughout the year.
Reach Julia LeDoux at Julia@connectingvets.com.
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