POST FALLS — Vietnam veteran Stan Inzer has many stories from his time serving overseas, and the nightmares will never fully fade.

But, Inzer said, his real struggles began after he returned home.

Those who served in Vietnam were not well received as public opinion had turned strongly against the war, he recalled.

“My mother and father could not look me in the eye,” Inzer said.

Inzer shared these reflections in front of dozens of fellow veterans at the Idaho State Veterans Home on Saturday morning. They gathered to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.

Inzer said he knew and fought alongside 20 names among the 58,318 on the walls of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C.

For many years, this was one of the hardest truths for Inzer to grapple with.

“I question over and over again: Why? Why did I make it home?” Inzer said.

Only when Inzer became involved in the local veteran community eight years ago did Inzer begin to find answers to this question.

“I’m here keeping their memory alive,” Inzer said. “And I’m alive again.”

The National Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 established National Vietnam War Veterans Day as March 29.

Though the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War concludes on Veterans Day later this year, National Vietnam War Veterans Day “will remain on (our) calendar in perpetuity,” said Barb Nelson with the Daughters of the American Revolution.

DAR members attended the commemoration to distribute Vietnam Veteran lapel pins. The pins featured an eagle, a symbol of courage and honor, which was circled by the color blue, the canton of the American flag, and a laurel wreath to symbolize victory, integrity and strength.

Also featured were six stars to represent the six allies who fought alongside one another in the war: Australia, New Zealand, the Philippines, the Republic of Korea, Thailand and the U.S.

“A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You” was engraved in the back of each pin.

“This is a timely reminder that our freedom was purchased at a high cost,” said Larry Kay, religious activities coordinator for the Veterans Home. “That should not be taken for granted.”