Over 500 Vallejo Vietnam veterans honored

Over 500 Vallejo Vietnam veterans honored during Saturday ceremony
Times Herald
By John Glidden
POSTED: 08/09/2014

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.
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