PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The war may be long over but Vietnam War veterans are still tasked with a duty of making sure no other veterans return home to face the same fight for benefits they endured.

 

Scott Gagnon served as both the commander of the Dalton Veterans of Foreign Wars Post and as the Massachusetts Veterans of Foreign Wars assistance service officer for Western Massachusetts. He knows well the fight Vietnam veterans have endured in just trying to secure proper medical care. 

 

"From November 1954 until April 30, 1975, over 3 million veterans served in Vietnam, 58,200 died, 109,577 were wounded, 1,700 are still missing in action, 11,000 women served in Vietnam as nurses, translators, flight controllers and band leaders. The average age of a Vietnam veteran was 21 years old. They racially consisted of 85 percent white, 12.5 percent black, 2.5 percent Hispanic or other. The Vietnam combat veteran saw an average of 240 days of combat during a one-year tour. One in ten were killed or wounded; one in ten have Hepatitis C," Gagnon said. 

 

"When they came back they were not welcome. They were disrespected, mistreated, and in some cases spit upon. Half the country was angry at them because they fought the war and the other half was angry at them because they lost the war. It was difficult for returning veterans to get meaningful care at the Veterans Administration for combat-related injuries that were not recognized, undiagnosed, and left untreated."

 

There are Vietnam veterans who can't prove they were in Cambodia or Laos where they were injured. There is the group of "Blue Water" veterans who are still fighting to have it recognized that their ships were exposed to Agent Orange so the sailors can receive benefits. There are veterans who served at Camp Lejeune who were sickened by water and were denied benefits. Gagnon doesn't want to see that happen to any other veteran.

 

"Congress and the Veterans Administration must strengthen VA and Department of Defense mental health programs, expand gender specific programs, and increase access to benefit for sexual trauma and domestic violence, provide benefits to veterans and family members impacted by toxic exposure," Gagnon said.

 

He called for increasing services for those who suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder, traumatic brain injury, and the quicker process to help the country's needy veterans and families.

 

After Vietnam veterans fought both the battle overseas and then at home, he feels it is the duty of all veterans to help each other out. 

 

"We here today show our fellow veterans how to access benefits. That is our duty, to serve those who follow us, to protect the benefits they have earned and so richly deserve," Gagnon said. 

 

Gagnon gave those remarks on Saturday when the local Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 65, the American Legion Post 68, and the VFW Post 448 held its annual Vietnam veterans memorial service. The ceremony honored the 27 military members from Berkshire County who were killed in the war. 

 

"Our mission today is to honor the fallen Vietnam veterans of our community and restore honor," said John Harding, who provided the opening remarks. 

 

The ceremony featured the laying of wreaths at the Vietnam monument in Park Square from each of the local veterans groups. Veterans Fran Tremblay and George Moran read the names of each of the 27 local servicemen who were killed during the war. The Dalton American Legion Post 155 performed a volley and Taps were played. 

 

This year featured an added recognition as Harding recognized City Councilor Melissa Mazzeo, who has attended every single ceremony the group has held, for her support of the Vietnam veterans over the years. 

 

Joe Diffillippo served as the master of ceremonies and Tyrone Belanger was the officer of the day.