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“On behalf of Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 446, and the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, Martin Severance Chapter thank you for joining us this afternoon for the Pasadena Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day Commemoration at Memorial Park,” said former Pasadena Mayor William Paparian, who served on active duty in the Marine Corps during the Vietnam War and continues to serve today as a Captain in the California State Guard and as a Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney.
Paparian continued, quoting a presidential proclamation: “President, Donald Trump, our Commander in Chief, issued a presidential proclamation in 2017, which stated:
‘To ensure the sacrifices of the millions of heroes who served during this difficult chapter of our country’s history are remembered for generations to come, I signed into law the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, designating March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. We vow to never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. With conviction, our Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans.'”
Organized by Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446 and the Daughters of the American Revolution Martin Severance Chapter, the event featured a wreath-laying ceremony at the Pasadena Vietnam Veterans Memorial, which bears the names of 31 Pasadena residents who lost their lives in the conflict.
The commemoration made no distinction between veterans who served in Vietnam or were stationed elsewhere during the war.
“Everyone who served during this time deserves our gratitude,” Paparian observed during his remarks.
Vietnam veterans in attendance received special recognition with the presentation of the National Vietnam War Commemoration designed Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins, described as “A lasting memento of the Nation’s thanks!” These pins, featuring an eagle’s head, stripes, and six stars, bear the inscription “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” on the reverse side.
Chaplain Dirk Young, the Vietnam Veterans of America California State Chaplain and Chaplain for Chapter 446, delivered both the invocation and benediction during the ceremony.
James Maddox, former President of Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446, shared the story of Jose Ramos, while United States Army Veteran James Zenner, Director of the Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs, spoke about Vietnam veterans’ inspiration to service.
A particularly poignant moment came when Priscilla Hernandez, daughter of Silver Star recipient Danny Hernandez, addressed the gathering. Hernandez, a Pasadena resident and president of a youth non-profit organization, spoke about her father’s military service and legacy.
The ceremony included the presentation and posting of colors by the United States Naval Sea Cadets Pasadena Division, the Pledge of Allegiance led by 11-year-old Navy Cadet Corps Cadet Brendon Ching, and performances of the National Anthem and “God Bless America” by Shannon Gray, a member of the DAR Martin Severance Chapter.
Alan Stelzer, President of VVA 446, along with Diane Carey-Schmitz and Sarah Towne-Di Cicco from the DAR, presented a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemorative Certificate with United States Flag to Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 446.
During the event, Paparian reflected on the historical context of service during the Vietnam War and referenced Thomas Paine’s 1776 “Winter Soldiers” concept.
“These are the times that try men’s souls; the summer soldier and the sunshine patriot will, in this crisis, shrink from the service of his country; but he that stand it now, deserves the love and thanks of man and women,” Paparian quoted from Paine, then adding: “During the Vietnam War, 27 million individuals were subjected to compulsory military service. Most eligible young men did not serve in the Vietnam War. 8.6 million of us did serve. Twice as many, 16 million never honored their military obligation to our country.”
He referred to Vietnam veterans as the “Winter Soldiers of the Vietnam War.”
The Martin Severance Chapter of the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, which co-organized the event, was organized in 1914, and named after Martin Severance who served for freedom of the colonies in the American Revolutionary War. The chapter has been active in Pasadena for over a century, with members assisting the Red Cross during both World Wars and participating in annual Armistice Day/Flag Day celebrations.
The Pasadena Vietnam Veterans Memorial has a significant history of its own. The concept was initiated more than 37 years ago, with a committee of 40 city employees formed in 1989, joined by Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 446. For over a year, meetings were held to determine the site, design, and funding for the memorial. These meetings often “raised long-buried resentment and bitterness. For others, it was a time of cleansing and healing. And for a few it was the first time in 20 years to talk about the Vietnam War,” according to the event program.
The memorial, unveiled in 1993 and dedicated at its current location in Memorial Park in 2004, features three sides: the Hart Memorial Relief, the names of the 31 Pasadena residents killed in Vietnam, and the service medals highlighting the Vietnam Service Medal. The memorial is topped with a bronzed triangle folded American flag. Three flags are posted at the site: the American, California, and POW/MIA flags. The organizers emphasized that the memorial “would not be a tribute to the war, but to the warriors, and those who served and came back and are living productive lives, and to the missing Pasadena.”
In his closing remarks, Paparian concluded with a reminder that more than 1,500 American service members still remain unaccounted for from the Vietnam War. “They are not forgotten, look above you at the POW/MIA flag,” Paparian said.
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