For some whose loved ones served in Vietnam, Friday’s National Vietnam War Veterans Day celebration in Coeur d’Alene offered a very important first.

“My husband Mark was able to honor his brother Kevin publicly, in a beautiful ceremony, for the first time. He carried his brother’s medal in his uniform pocket,” wrote Kathi Johnson, in a message to Barb Nelson, one of the event organizers, following the ceremony. “The tears were overflowing from many who were finally allowed to publicly grieve.”

An estimated 200 people attended the event at Veterans Memorial Plaza in McEuen Park. There were speeches, songs, a presentation of the colors and a wreath ceremony.

Organized by the Lt. George Farragut Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the event commemorated and celebrated all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975.

Barb Nelson, a DAR and one of the speakers, said she was especially pleased to see so many Vietnam veterans in attendance.

“They made all the effort worthwhile,” Nelson said. “It was gratifying that they were all so proud to stand and be recognized and that they welcomed our appreciation.”

Each Vietnam veteran who attended the event received a tri-colored ribbon with a button replica of the official seal of the commemoration, with an eagle that commemorates the anniversary of the Vietnam War.

During the wreath ceremony, everyone who lost a loved one during the war or after was invited to honor and remember them by placing a carnation in a large wreath.

Bob Martin, who retired from the U.S. Army as a first sergeant after 20 years of service, was one of the featured speakers. A former commander of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 889 in Coeur d’Alene, Martin served four tours in Vietnam and received three Purple Hearts, the Silver Star and the Bronze Star for Valor.

Martin talked about the history of the war, his own experience, and about the politics and cultural events that shaped the era and how that affected those who served.

“Americans need to understand the real why and how it all happened. The American warriors who fought this war were betrayed. They were betrayed by fellow Americans, the media and the politicians who sent them into harm’s way in the first place,” Martin said. “They were betrayed by Hollywood’s perverse depiction of our troops as bloodthirsty burnouts and losers — outcasts society would prefer to ignore, like an embarrassing family member.”

He said he, too, felt like an outcast, not welcomed by society.

“So I did three more tours because I felt welcomed and needed by my combat brothers,” he said.

Martin said he recalls many acts of courage by the young men who fought alongside him, too many to mention.

“It reminds me of the words of Dick Winters of ‘Band of Brothers’ fame,” Martin said, before quoting Winters. “‘I don’t feel like a hero, but I was honored to serve in the company of heroes.’”