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The annual Boeing St. Louis Veterans Day Recognition Ceremony was held at the Boeing Defense, Space and Security Headquarters Wednesday afternoon. Military veteran employees and guest speakers addressed this year's theme, the Vietnam War era, framed by the backdrop of the St. Louis Site Military Veterans Honor Wall. Dedicated November 11, 2005, the Honor Wall displays metal plaques with the names and service branches of military veterans currently or previously employed at St. Louis-area Boeing or former McDonnell Douglas facilities.
Here we see the Honor Wall and the employees, veterans groups and guests assembling for the ceremony. Some looked up the names of veterans on the Honor wall, while others visited the information tent or admired Liberty, a bald eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary. Bikers from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association are shown entering the presentation area, with Tim Hippensteel's 2000 Harley-Davidson Road King remaining on display near the Honor Wall. This Road King, one of only ten made during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, honors veterans with graphics representing major conflicts.
https://aeroexperience.blogspot.com/2019/11/boeing-st-louis-honors-veterans-at.html?fbclid=IwAR0MHlZ7Qihmr4LRKfnqrAd9IJxhRKP3o 0uXBiLZoo0wtQapgOHMRw2zhog
Vincent Pham, a unique Vietnam veteran, then rose to the stage. During the war, he served with U.S. Army units as an interpreter and was wounded twice in action. He later entered the Republic of Vietnam Air Force and received flight training at U.S. Air Force bases. Pham flew combat missions, was shot down, imprisoned as a POW, and later made his way the United States with his family. He has since joined the Boeing Company in Seattle. Pham shared his story of service in the Vietnam War and what he has learned from that experience.
"When was the Vietnam War?" he asked rhetorically. "Maybe nobody knows, because it was very long. But I know the Vietnam War when I was born." His mother told him that as a baby he would stop crying when the sounds of war were close to his home. From 1955-1965, U.S. forces in the region were defensive, often referred to as an "advisory" role. It soon became apparent that U.S. military assistance was essential for the survival of the south following the attacks from the communist insurgents following the 1954 Geneva Conference.
In 1969, Pham began service with the U.S. Army as an interpreter and was wounded in action twice. In 1971, he joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force and trained in the U.S. before returning to fly missions in defense of his country. He was shot down in 1973, and imprisoned for seven years. He escaped Vietnam in 1982 and reached the U.S. two years later. He continues to share his story, and appreciation for U.S. assistance to his former home, at veterans events each year.
Massive support from Russia and China turned the tide of the Vietnam War to the advantage of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Pham acknowledged. He did find some "wins" from with the loss of his homeland. One was the wedge created between Russia and China in the years following the war. Another development from the war was the advancement of defense technology and the improvement of combat strategy and tactics from lessons learned there. A third "win" was the containment of the conflict to the South Vietnam area, thwarting the goal of a communist Asia. "After everything with Saigon collapsed, we recognized who we are. We thank you very much for the U.S. support in the time in the War in Vietnam. We learned, we're growing and we're higher. We are [have] not lost."
Here we see the Honor Wall and the employees, veterans groups and guests assembling for the ceremony. Some looked up the names of veterans on the Honor wall, while others visited the information tent or admired Liberty, a bald eagle from the World Bird Sanctuary. Bikers from the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association are shown entering the presentation area, with Tim Hippensteel's 2000 Harley-Davidson Road King remaining on display near the Honor Wall. This Road King, one of only ten made during the 2000 Sydney Olympics, honors veterans with graphics representing major conflicts.
https://aeroexperience.blogspot.com/2019/11/boeing-st-louis-honors-veterans-at.html?fbclid=IwAR0MHlZ7Qihmr4LRKfnqrAd9IJxhRKP3o 0uXBiLZoo0wtQapgOHMRw2zhog
Vincent Pham, a unique Vietnam veteran, then rose to the stage. During the war, he served with U.S. Army units as an interpreter and was wounded twice in action. He later entered the Republic of Vietnam Air Force and received flight training at U.S. Air Force bases. Pham flew combat missions, was shot down, imprisoned as a POW, and later made his way the United States with his family. He has since joined the Boeing Company in Seattle. Pham shared his story of service in the Vietnam War and what he has learned from that experience.
"When was the Vietnam War?" he asked rhetorically. "Maybe nobody knows, because it was very long. But I know the Vietnam War when I was born." His mother told him that as a baby he would stop crying when the sounds of war were close to his home. From 1955-1965, U.S. forces in the region were defensive, often referred to as an "advisory" role. It soon became apparent that U.S. military assistance was essential for the survival of the south following the attacks from the communist insurgents following the 1954 Geneva Conference.
In 1969, Pham began service with the U.S. Army as an interpreter and was wounded in action twice. In 1971, he joined the Republic of Vietnam Air Force and trained in the U.S. before returning to fly missions in defense of his country. He was shot down in 1973, and imprisoned for seven years. He escaped Vietnam in 1982 and reached the U.S. two years later. He continues to share his story, and appreciation for U.S. assistance to his former home, at veterans events each year.
Massive support from Russia and China turned the tide of the Vietnam War to the advantage of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam (North Vietnam), Pham acknowledged. He did find some "wins" from with the loss of his homeland. One was the wedge created between Russia and China in the years following the war. Another development from the war was the advancement of defense technology and the improvement of combat strategy and tactics from lessons learned there. A third "win" was the containment of the conflict to the South Vietnam area, thwarting the goal of a communist Asia. "After everything with Saigon collapsed, we recognized who we are. We thank you very much for the U.S. support in the time in the War in Vietnam. We learned, we're growing and we're higher. We are [have] not lost."