Times-Herald - Hundreds of Vallejo Vietnam veterans honored

By John Glidden -

A few had trouble standing during the singing of the national anthem; age forcing some to hold onto a loved one or a cane. They stood, saluting the flag, like so many times before.

Yet, it was a different atmosphere for the Vallejo Vietnam War veterans Saturday who filed into the Veterans Memorial Building on Admiral Callaghan Lane.

Many had waited decades for this day and they were not to be denied recognition one minute longer.

Various local, state and federal elected officials packed the main stage to honor 557 Vallejo residents who served in the Vietnam War.

The celebration coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Gulf of Tonkin Resolution signed into law by then-President Lyndon B. Johnson.

The resolution is generally seen as the official start to the Vietnam War.

"We are the only city, I know of, doing this level of honoring for Vietnam vets," said Nestor Aliga, organizer of the ceremony. "Each of the vets received 11 items, including five certificates with their (respective) names on it. Nothing generic, they can hang these items on their walls."

Aliga said that he had to turn down 300 Vietnam vets who lived outside of Vallejo.

He said that 200 Vallejo Vietnam vets declined to show up because the war and the subsequent treatment of soldiers returning home from Vietnam is still a "bad memory."

For Manuel Concepcion, Vietnam is still difficult to talk about.

Concepcion said that he served from 1965-66 and then again from late 1968 to 1970, both times in the Marine Corps.

"We lost some people (in Vietnam)," Concepcion said. "But I'm living with it."

Concepcion said that he had an urge to serve in the armed services again after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks.

"I would do it all over again," he said.

Wilfred Alexander, who served in the Navy aboard the USS Valley Forge and USS Midway, echoed Concepcion's sentiments by saying he would serve again, if he could.

"I did the best I could do," Alexander said.

He said that his return home was a poor one.

"As I exited Travis (Air Force Base), people called me names, like 'baby killer,'" he said.

Alexander said that he served aboard the Valley Forge in 1969, which was being used as a troop transport. He said the ship was also used to bring back the dead and wounded soldiers.

"When I was aboard the Valley Forge, I was exposed to Agent Orange," Alexander said. "I'm dealing with prostate cancer now."

For Erin Hannigan, Solano County Supervisor representing District 1, Vietnam is a personal reminder of family loss.

"My uncle was missing in action," she said. "We found out that his bone fragments were being sold over there. We found out it was him through DNA testing."

Each of the 557 names were read off. Many of the veterans were not present but those who were received a nice round of applause as they stood with the calling of their respective names.

"Recognition is long overdue," said Mike Thompson, who represents California's Fifth Congressional District, during his keynote address. "No veteran deserves to wait for it."