GREEN COVE SPRINGS — When Gary Newman was preparing to leave Saigon during the Vietnam War, he was told to swap his military fatigues for civilian clothes so he would be more difficult to recognize as a soldier on American soil.

The 1960s and 1970s were troubled times. A portion of society turned against the men and women who were drafted and enlisted to fight against the Communist invasion of South Vietnam. The soldiers who returned – 58,220 from the United States were confirmed dead, and another 1,582 remain unaccounted for – from the war faced hostility and scorn from those who opposed the unpopular war.

“We talked about the three pillars,” Newman said. “When we came back, we first went to the woods, which would be pillar number one. They wanted to escape everything, all the turmoil in the United States. They were trying to find their way again.

“The second place they went, they formed a motorcycle group, the Vietnam Veterans Motorcycle Club. They found other like-minded people who served with them overseas on ships and in the Air Force.

“The third pillar is our support; they've said nothing for 40-plus years. Even to this day, they remain silent and just go about their daily life. I was in that boat myself for about my first 40 years. I never discussed anything with my wife, ever, about the Vietnam War.”

Newman broke out of his Vietnam seclusion to spearhead the TAPS Monument at the Historic Triangle in Green Cove Springs. While the names of each Clay County resident who died in service of the nation are listed on the monument, the Saturday, March 29, Vietnam Veterans Ceremony has become the highlight of the county’s tribute to the forgotten heroes who fought and died in the Southeastern jungles of Asia.

The Vietnam War Veteran’s Day “Welcome Home” will be at 10 a.m. at the Historic Courthouse and Jail at 915 Walnut St.

The ceremony will be in conjunction with the Board of County Commissioners, and all Vietnam veterans and Gold Star families will be recognized.

Dr. J. Michael Butler, the Kenan Distinguished Professor of History at Flagler College, will be the guest speaker. Butler has taught at Flagler College in St. Augustine since 2008. He has a Ph.D. in history from the University of Mississippi. He specializes in 20th-century U.S. cultural history and teaches several classes on the topics, including “The Vietnam War” and “Rock and Roll History.”

Tina Pham, executive director of the Asian Chamber of Commerce of North Florida, will also speak. Born in Vietnam, Tina Pham embarked on a life-changing journey when she, along with her siblings and mother, immigrated to America in 1993 at the age of 12 to be reunited with her father. Despite the challenges of not knowing the language, Tina dove headfirst into learning English, driven by a thirst for knowledge and a desire to succeed.

Veterans from Clay, Duval, St. Johns and Nassau and surrounding counties will be represented at the ceremony. Vietnam veterans will be presented the 50th Anniversary Commemorate lapel pin and certificate. Gold Star families will be recognized along with all veterans.