Vietnam Veterans

Vietnam Veteran Reflects on Difficulties of War and Post-War Help for National Vietnam Veterans Day

March 29, will mark the second year our nation will recognize National Vietnam Veterans Day- acknowledged by the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. The U.S. flag will be flown in commemoration of those who served in Vietnam.

This year marks 45 years since the United States troops withdrew from Vietnam. At a tough time in our country’s history, the war was often opposed by a significant part of our population which ended up being reflected in the way people treated our returning military. The veterans coming home were not appreciated as they are today,

Vietnam veteran, Wayne Knight was drafted by the Army and served two tours 1966-1968. One of his most vivid memories of the war was, “the shock of landing and being under attack the minute we got there.” He and his fellow troops had to run for their lives without guns or ammunition to a safety bunker as soon as they stepped off of the Pan-Am flight.

Knight reflects on how disappointed he was when he returned home from service, “I was being spat at. I was abused. I had to take my uniform off before I even came back to the United States,” because we heard about the terrible treatment of veterans.

Returning home after living in a war zone brought about new anxieties, and some veterans experienced high levels of PTSD resulting in problems with re-establishing relationships. Some Vietnam Veterans were given freedom they hadn’t experienced in years causing many to crave the structure and order they felt in the military setting. They missed the comradery, and close relationships they had experienced in their military unit, it was disorienting for many veterans.

Help Heal Veterans (HHV) was established 46 years ago, and during the Vietnam era, it played a part in supporting our veterans with anxiety issues and more. HHV filled in the holes that post-military life created and also helped veterans who had significant wounds from war keeping their minds working while also increasing coordination and dexterity. HHV provided structure, a supportive team environment, and craft therapy to veterans then and now.

Knight has worked with HHV since 2015, “the crafts take away the anxieties (of post-war), they provide relaxation and are such a benefit for those who take the time to do them.” HHV is more than just crafts; Knight enjoys the comradery and the unspoken rule of love that is apparent when he enters the crafting center.

The crafts instill self-worth in veterans and veterans enjoy taking the time to create a detailed art piece. The art develops insight into the veterans and shows them what they can achieve- no matter the skill level or artistic ability as Knight would put it, “art is in the eye of the beholder.”

From the Vietnam era to now HHV continues helping those who have served our country, “Help Heal Veterans is absolutely eye-opening. Without the program I would feel such a loss,” says Knight.