Among the greatest shames America has to face today is its shame for the treatment of the veterans of the Vietnam War, who, no less than our heroes in uniform today, answered the call and went off to fight and die in a steaming jungle hellhole known as Vietnam.

Micromanaged by clueless politicians from Washington, Vietnam was an unpopular war and gave birth to the hippie, counter-culture, anti-war movement. Today, we know them as liberals, and they hate America as much now as they did then.

Today’s heroes fighting in the Middle East and Afghanistan are revered and honored when they return home, as they should be. The veterans returning home from Vietnam were not so fortunate. They were spit on, called “baby killers,” and insulted in every imaginable way. This, after spending a year risking their lives in a war they had no part in starting but were only too proud to serve in to preserve America’s freedom. They deserved better then and they deserve better now. It is good to see President Trump recognizing this and honoring their sacrifice.

Speaking before a group of Vietnam veterans prior to signing a Presidential Proclamation commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, President Trump honored America’s veterans and spoke briefly about improvements at the Veterans Administration.

President Trump then offered the podium and microphone to the vets present, four of whom spoke briefly, all praising the President for the great job he is doing and imploring him to continue his work to make America great again.

The third veteran to speak was a former Navy SEAL. His impassioned words left him in tears, and as he finished speaking of the “58,000 heroes who never made it home,” it was obvious that the scars of that terrible war had not yet healed. President Trump respectfully shook his hand, and as the hurting veteran moved to return to his place behind the podium, the President grabbed him and gave him a fatherly hug as the aging SEAL cried on his shoulder. A very moving moment.

“Mr. President, from my heart, thank you for your support of the military and it’s an honor to be here as one of seven Vietnam veterans representing them, 58,000 heroes who never made it home. Thank you so much.”