Photo courtesy of: www.uswarmemorials.org
When most people think of the Vietnam War, they most likely think of it as a polarizing American military conflict that had major social and cultural impacts at home and abroad.
While that is a true assessment, many of us probably aren’t aware of Canadian involvement in the combat.
April 30th marked the 50th anniversary of the ‘Fall of Saigon’ – which was the last major piece of the nearly two decade long war. Canada did not officially participate, but the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial Association claims between 1959 and 1975 approximately 40,000 people did embark on a journey that would forever change their lives.
Procurement Officer Keith Tracy with the association says his goal is to extend the knowledge about Canadian Vietnam Veterans, a chapter sort of lost in our history.
A big chunk of time has been dedicated to establishing how many Canadians lost their lives while in combat, and through very hard work and digging, Tracy says a lot of gains have been made.
One of those who went to Southeast Asia and did not come back was Warrant Officer John Christopher Sherin III. He was a helicopter pilot in the 71st Assault Helicopter Company and died on October 2nd, 1968 when his aircraft crashed into the Truong Giang Estuary, five miles northwest of Chu Lai Airfield in Quang Tin Province. Sherin was originally from Ashburn, but is buried in Lakefield Cemetery.
A lot has happened in the five decades since the War in Vietnam ended, but Tracy says it’s still very present for many who served.
This year on Sunday, July 6th, the association will be holding a 30th anniversary of the Canadian Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Windsor. For details on the event, click here.
(Written by: Jordan Mercier)
