Forty years ago on April 30, the last of American troops were pulled off the front lines and fire bases of Vietnam. The withdrawal signaled the end of a 13-year war in which 58,119 Americans were killed and 153,303 injured. Fifty-one of those killed were from nine counties in northern Iowa. Because of the unpopularity of the war back in the states, especially during the latter years, most soldiers arrived stateside to a nation that blamed them for their part in the war. Many soldiers returning to the United States during this time period were instructed to shed their uniforms, dress into civilian clothes and to keep a low profile, or risk being derided and spit on. Even some older veterans of previous wars avoided our returning young men and women.

At the end of this summer on Aug. 26 to 30, Operation LZ — Welcome Home will be in Forest City. Operation LZ — Landing Zone is an event planned by a committee of 25 northern Iowa Vietnam veterans, military veterans and citizens who have been meeting for a year. This welcome home is funded by over 90 individuals, businesses, county governments and citizens. In the local area, support for this event has been demonstrated by the generous use of the Winnebago Rally Grounds and Corporate Hangar, Heritage Park, Forest City Airport and the Waldorf College Hangar.

Every soldier involved in a war has a different story just as every soldier experiences a different way of healing. Operation LZ has many ways for those who served in our military from 1962 to 1975 to participate with their families, other vets, friends and community members. The LZ will consist of displays, helicopter rides, air shows, music concerts, sky diving demonstrations and various memorabilia. This event will remember those who were killed with a memorial service at the traveling wall including special speakers. It will provide an opportunity to reflect through helicopter rides and displays and allow veterans to open up conversations with families and the younger generations attending.

The weekend will also give veterans a chance to renew old relationships and generate new ones with those in the area who they never knew were in Vietnam.

The generation who sent its youth to Vietnam has now passed. Operation LZ is the chance for those of us who lost family members, neighbors, friends and schoolmates to recognize and honor those who were called, served and sacrificed without a proper welcome home and thank you!

America has finally learned, “You might hate the war, but don’t hate the warrior.”

Please join us. For more event information go to www.operationlz.com and register to help us plan. For those without computer access, call 641-582-2771.

Riley Lewis 

Co-Chairman Operation LZ