More than a journey — it is a homecoming of the heart.
The CLASS of 58
The Class of ’58: A Return of Honor
The Class of ’58 is a state-led initiative established to support Vietnam veterans who, no longer connected to their original units, seek a meaningful and transformative return to Vietnam. By selecting 58 veterans from each state, the program offers a structured and dignified opportunity for reflection, reconnection, and remembrance—honoring their service while upholding the enduring legacy of the 58,318 who never returned home. Through this journey, participants are invited to heal, to reflect on their personal and shared histories, and to carry forward the memory of their fallen brothers with renewed purpose.
Why “The Class of 58”
By selecting participants from each state, the program highlights the profound sacrifices made in every community across the nation and builds a comprehensive framework that recognizes and preserves each state’s unique contribution to the war. This statewide representation strengthens national unity by acknowledging that the Vietnam War touched families, hometowns, and service members in every part of the country. Their journey stands as a solemn national tribute—preserving memory, strengthening unity, and upholding the enduring values of duty, honor, sacrifice, and country.
“The Class of ’58 is more than a journey back—it’s a journey forward. A path toward peace, understanding, and belonging—for veterans, for families, and for generations to come.”
— Max MORGAN, (1968)
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The Class of ’58 honors all who served in Vietnam—and the 58,318 who never returned. From each state, fifty-eight combat veterans will journey back to Vietnam as living tributes to their fallen comrades, carrying forward their stories, courage, and sacrifice. United in solemn remembrance, they embody the enduring bonds of service and reflect the steadfast gratitude of the nation they served.
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This program is exclusively reserved for veterans who were deployed during the Vietnam War and requires supporting military documentation, including the submission of a DD-214. It is dedicated to organizing meaningful reunions that honor those who served in combat and who meet the established eligibility criteria. Your understanding and commitment to preserving the integrity of this veteran-centered initiative are sincerely appreciated.
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To ensure mission success, the organization operates within a structured framework rooted in coordination, readiness, and accountability. Each unit must designate a primary liaison to oversee communication and logistics and assemble a roster of fifty-eight combat veterans who demonstrate exceptional fitness, possess valid passports, and uphold an unwavering commitment to the mission’s purpose, values, and solemn intent.
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Each twelve-day deployment is meticulously organized to balance visits to historically significant sites with dedicated periods for reflection and connection. Veterans return to the locations that defined their service, fostering healing, camaraderie, and personal resolution. Within a respectful and thoughtfully supported environment, participants are afforded the opportunity to examine the past, honor shared experiences, and attain renewed peace along a collective journey of remembrance.
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Each twelve-day itinerary includes four days in Saigon, Danang, and Hanoi, creating a deeply immersive and reverent journey that honors those who made the ultimate sacrifice. Veterans return to the regions where their units once served, forging a profound connection between past and present as they reflect on the experiences, challenges, and memories that shaped their service. Through this intentional engagement with place and history, participants are afforded an opportunity for healing, renewed understanding, and a deeper appreciation of the enduring legacy they carry forward.
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To honor the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans and to strengthen intergenerational connection, the initiative pairs veterans of post-Vietnam conflicts—such as Desert Storm, Afghanistan, and Iraq—with Vietnam veterans on return journeys to Vietnam. This meaningful collaboration creates a bridge between eras of service, fostering shared understanding, reflective dialogue, and enduring camaraderie. Through these interwoven experiences, participants honor the memories of those who served, deepen mutual respect, and carry forward a legacy of courage and sacrifice across generations.
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Each return journey to Vietnam is supported by a dedicated team committed to ensuring your safety, comfort, and peace of mind. Many team members are themselves combat veterans who understand the profound significance of your return. Working alongside highly skilled medical, logistical, and production professionals, they help guide every stage of the experience with unwavering respect, dignity, and a shared spirit of thoughtful reflection.
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No. This initiative is reserved exclusively for veterans who served in the War in Vietnam. This eligibility requirement is fundamental to the program’s mission of shared service and authentic connection and cannot be waived. We appreciate your understanding, your respect for these parameters, and your continued commitment to upholding the integrity and purpose of this meaningful veteran-centered initiative.
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Your return to Vietnam will be fully underwritten by the initiative as a sincere and lasting acknowledgment of your service to our nation. All travel, accommodations, and program-related expenses will be covered, ensuring that you can focus entirely on what truly matters—paying tribute, honoring the fallen, and reflecting on the experiences and bonds that have shaped your life. This support is offered to stand with you, to recognize your sacrifice, and to affirm that your service will never be forgotten.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Join the Class of ’58
Join the Class of ’58 on a powerful return to Vietnam — a journey of healing, remembrance, and renewed connection for those whose courage and sacrifice forever shaped our nation.