WASHINGTON, D.C. – As we celebrate Memorial Day in our local communities, our nation’s capital city is also paying tribute to those who made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of freedom.
At the Vietnam Veterans Memorial wall in the National Mall, the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and the National Park Service pays tribute to members of our armed forces who died in Vietnam and in all other conflicts. On the wall are the names of more than 50-thousand service members who died in combat or are missing in action. It’s one of the most visited spots in Washington. This is a special year honoring Memorial Day because we are just around the corner marking the Army’s 250th birthday.
“I was in Vietnam for one year,” said Anthony Mustifa, Vietnam Veteran in the Air Force.
“After basic training, I went to Vietnam,” said Lloyd Hart, Vietnam Veteran in the Army. “Spent 12 months and three days too long.”
This Memorial Day also marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam war.
“I was in aviation door gunner,” said Hart. “120th aviation.”
Hart and Mustifa said visitng the VVM brings back memories of their time in service. Seeing the names of those they’re familiar with is very painful.
They share what Memorial Day means to them.
“It means a lot of sacrifice we went through to get this and have this; we deserve it,” said Hart. “Freedom is not free. You gotta earn to get it.”
“Memorial Day means a whole lot because I have six people on that wall and one of them was my buddy, Tony Curtis Foster,” said Mustifa holding back tears. “He took my place and everything and he got, he got blown up and he took my place. That’s why I come to represent him on that wall for Veterans Day and Memorial Day because I should’ve been up there, but he sacrificed himself. It’s an honor to be here and to remember them.”
