More than 100 Vietnam War veterans and other military personnel gathered March 29 at Mission BBQ, 1421 Grape St., Whitehall, to commemorate the pullout of the last combat troops 51 years ago in Vietnam.

The veterans also received a free barbecue sandwich. That’s just one of the things Mission BBQ does to support our military veterans and area first responders.

There were a lot of American flags, as well as veterans with vests and denim jackets covered with patches proclaiming their patriotism. An honor guard from American Legion Post 379, Bethlehem, stood at attention in full dress uniforms for the national anthem and fired a volley of rifle shots as a bugler played taps.

Congress passed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 and set March 29 as the day for veterans to commemorate the last combat soldiers to leave Vietnam and perhaps to try and compensate for the shabby welcome home many veterans reportedly received from a divided populace in that era.

When asked why he does what he does for ceremonies of this sort, a member of the honor guard said, “It’s the least we can do; these veterans deserve our thanks and our respect.”