LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18) – Today is National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the service of one Kentucky unit was honored at the Capitol.
Vietnam veterans will be honored across the country today and in Kentucky, they stood proudly in the capitol rotunda. With the Kentucky Vietnam Veterans traveling wall nearby, one marine confessed that it took him a long time to be able to even approach the wall.
Looking at the names of those who never made it home was not easy.
“I walked to that wall and I broke. I broke bad. Still gets to me today,” said Jack Mattingly, a veteran of the war.
Governor Matt Bevin thanked the vets for their sacrifice.
“This is a somber thing we’re here to honor, but it’s also a time of celebration, of gratitude, and of appreciation,” said Bevin.
As emotions ran high, stories about the battle at Firebase Tomahawk were told. That’s where Kentucky National Guard members were attacked. Many were wounded and several made the ultimate sacrifice.
