Jill Wagner and Husband Honor Vets on National Vietnam War Veterans Day
By Movieguide® Contributor
Jill Wagner and her husband David highlighted National Vietnam War Veterans Day in a new Great American Community post.
“[This is] a day to honor those who fought in Vietnam or served during the Vietnam War over its 20-year timeframe,” David Wagner explained. “It was enacted into law and became the official recognized day to honor those who served in the Vietnam war on March 29th 2017.”
“As all Americans know, during that time, the history books tell us they didn’t get the proper welcome home like many of those who served in the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan,” he continued. “My generation, we get a lot of ‘thank you for your service,’ and I think the Vietnam vets didn’t get that. They deserve it.”
“They served just as honorably and they made a lot of sacrifices, including a lot of deaths, not just casualties. There were millions of casualties, but a lot of people died, a lot of Americans, a lot of patriots died in that war, and many of them didn’t choose to serve, so there’s complexities and dimensions to that war that we didn’t face in Afghanistan and Iraq during my time in the service,” he concluded.
March 29 was chosen to honor Vietnam War veterans because on March 29, 1973, the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was disestablished, as well as the day the last U.S. troops departed from Vietnam.
Over 8 million Americans served in the war, including about 3 million drafted into service. About 7 million of these service members were still alive as of 2018, many suffering from physical and psychological scars from their time in combat. When they returned home, they were met with scorn, resentment, and judgment, and it wasn’t until years later that they were truly honored for their service.
Movieguide® previously reported on the Wagners’ patriotism:
Movieguide® award-nominated actress Jill Wagner welcomed a new edition to her family last week.
On April 17, Wagner brought Army Gray Lemanowicz into the world, according to Fox News.
Wagner told People Magazine, “We wanted a patriotic name, and my husband is in the military so we chose her first name to be Army.
“We thought that was a good name to honor both,” she said. “Her middle name is Gray (spelled the American way, with an A) because I have always loved that name. It is strong, intelligent, soft and feminine all in one … which is what I want her to be.”
