50 years ago today, the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam, and Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.
For Vietnam veterans, like Pittsburgh Steeler Rocky Bleier, reflection is bittersweet.
Rocky Bleier earned a purple heart during his time in Vietnam.
Injured twice in the same day by shrapnel from an exploded grenade.
He still recalls the pain and difficult recovery after doctors told him he could no longer walk.
“Prognoses was I would not play this game of football again and as the story goes, I was very fortune to be here with the Pittsburgh Steelers and the rest becomes history as that team wins four Super Bowls in six years,” said Bleier in an interview with KDKA Radio.
But he says for many, the scars of war run deeper, PTSD, addiction, and memories of a hostile return to civilian life.
But he says he's thankful Vietnam vets are finally getting the recognition they deserve because that was not always the case.
“Conflict was not popular; thus, the soldiers were not popular . . . so they were never really welcomed, they were never really thanked,” said Bleier.