Fifty years is a long time to wait to hear two words:

Welcome home.

"Those two words mean a lot," Lt. Gen. Stephen Lanza, commander, I Corps, said. "They are not said enough."

On a foggy afternoon that turned sunny, more than 2,500 Vietnam Era veterans - marines, airmen, soldiers, Coast Guardsmen, sailors and their family members - gathered on Watkins Field at Joint Base Lewis-McChord for the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War, Oct. 9.

Some of the veterans wore their old green uniforms; many wore their medals and unit patches.

Yesterday's salute coincides with the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. 

In 2012, President Obama issued a proclamation calling for a 13-year commemoration of the war, lasting through 2025.

Lanza, with significant work done on the part of the 593rd Expeditionary Sustainment Command, took the lead in bringing the celebration to JBLM.

Noticing that Vietnam Era veterans welcomed soldiers home after deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan, he determined to return the honor.

"We just thought they never had that," Lanza said. 

"Today we had an opportunity to thank them."

>>> Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey talked with numerous Vietnam veterans, including Al Isaac, an Army veteran who served two tours. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

The most controversial war in the nation's recent history, the majority of those who returned from Vietnam was not welcomed home.

More than 58,000 Americans died during the war, and more than 300,000 were wounded.  With the passage of time, many have passed on. Of the 2.7 million who served, less than 850,000 are estimated to still be alive.

>>> Navy veteran Bob Mehling was one of more than 600 Vietnam Era veterans who attended a 50th  Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

"When I read about this event, I could not believe someone wanted to welcome us home," said Pat Ferguson, a former Army helicopter pilot, who drove from Nevada to attend yesterday's event.

"There was no welcome for me when I returned."

Ferguson related that about 15 years ago a man approached him in a grocery store parking lot.

"I thought he was a street person as he walked toward me with his hand out," he continued. "But he must have seen the Purple Heart designation on my license plate because he said, ‘Welcome Home.' He was the first person to say that to me. Today amplifies that."

For Arlene Murray, president of the Gold Star Wives Tahoma Chapter, the celebration brought back memories of her childhood.

"As a 10-year-old child, I said goodbye to my father and to many other soldiers," she said.

The chapter has teamed up with the Department of Defense to become a Commemorative Partner in recognizing veterans of the Vietnam War.

"I cried with several veterans today," continued Murray after pinning commemorative pins on three veterans. "Today was long overdue."

>>> Arlene Murray presents a commemorative pin honoring Vietnam veterans. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson

JBLM's celebration also featured a small procession of flags on Watkins Field from various Northwest military units, a display of military equipment and various agencies offering benefits at Cowan Stadium.

Retired Gen. Barry McCaffrey, who served two tours in Vietnam and was awarded three Purple Hearts, two Silver Stars and two Distinguished Service Crosses, struck a chord with many in attendance.

After thanking the men and women with whom he served, McCaffrey told them, "You stepped forward and you kept your country safe.

"Welcome home."

>>> Pfc. Vincent Arana, 201st Battlefield Surveillance Brigade, makes an adjustment to the unit's colors before the start of the 50th Anniversary Commemoration of the Vietnam War on Watkins Field, Joint Base Lewis-McChord. Photo credit: J.M. Simpson