58,318
REASONS TO RETURN TO VIETNAM
“Failure is a hard word—but no matter how you analyze the War in Vietnam, that's exactly what it was on a national scale. From its covert beginnings, through the bloodiest and darkest days, to its bitter end, this ten-year chapter in American history made little sense—politically, militarily, or economically.”
— The Psychological Effects of the Vietnam War
Our Approach:
With profound respect for the Vietnam generation, our mission is rooted in a sacred debt owed to the 58,281 Americans who made the ultimate sacrifice and never came home. In solemn tribute to their courage and loss, we give surviving veterans the opportunity to return to the land where their brothers fell—to stand as living witnesses for those whose voices were silenced forever. Through our program, we offer two carefully crafted pathways of return, each one dedicated to honoring their service, preserving their memory, and supporting the ongoing healing of our nation.
Unit-Based Veterans
Each program is organized around the specific locations in which participants served and brings together a cohort of twenty combat veterans who served together during their tour. Convened for a solemn and restorative act of remembrance, they return to the ground where their service was tested and where comrades were lost. These journeys reaffirm the bonds forged in combat and uphold the enduring obligation to honor those who did not return. They provide a structured space for reflection and healing, and for renewing a brotherhood that time does not diminish.
Non-Unit-Based Veterans
For veterans who are no longer connected to their original units, we offer a separate but equally meaningful program designed to support healing, reflection, and reconnection. Through a shared return to Vietnam, participants gather in a dignified setting to honor service and sacrifice, preserve memory, and engage the experiences that have endured over time. This journey fosters renewed bonds and a restored sense of peace, purpose, and belonging grounded in duty, honor, sacrifice, and country.
“Walking the same battlefield where so many fought and fell—despite the erasure of history—brings a profound sense of inner peace. It reawakens the brotherhood forged in combat and offers an indescribable satisfaction that comes only from returning to this sacred ground more than half a century later.”
— Jim LAWRENCE, (1965) IaDrang Valley
UPCOMING DEPLOYMENTS
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I-Corps
The next units scheduled for deployment to I-Corps comprise veterans of the First Marine Division, as well as personnel from the U.S. Army’s 101st Airborne Division and First Cavalry Division.
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II-Corps
The next groups scheduled to return to II Corps include veterans from the U.S. Army’s 4th Infantry Division, the 173rd Airborne Brigade, and elements of the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
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III-Corps
The next groups scheduled to return to III-Corps include veterans of the U.S. Army Medical Corps, the 25th Infantry Division, the 1st Infantry Division, and the 9th Infantry Division.
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IV-Corps
The next groups scheduled to return to IV-Corps include veterans of the U.S. Navy SEALs, the Brown Water Navy, and personnel who participated in Operation Market Time.
“My journey back to Vietnam marked the most profound phase of healing since the war. Walking the battlefields alongside both former allies and once-enemy soldiers proved deeply cathartic—offering reconciliation, reflection, and a measure of peace long overdue.”
— Mike STOKEY, (1966), Combat Correspondence
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For many veterans, the Vietnam War remains a profoundly personal chapter of their lives. Their return is not a matter of travel, but a pilgrimage of healing and remembrance—a chance to confront the past, honor fallen comrades, and seek peace. In these moments of reflection and renewed brotherhood, time becomes a bridge from sorrow toward healing and reconciliation.
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This program is exclusively for combat veterans of the Vietnam War. It is dedicated to organizing meaningful reunions that honor those who served in combat and who meet the established eligibility criteria as verified through their DD-214 military discharge documents. We appreciate your understanding and your commitment to preserving the integrity of this veteran-centered initiative.
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To ensure the success of this important mission, the organization operates under a structured framework emphasizing coordination, readiness, and accountability. Each participating unit must designate a primary liaison to oversee communication and logistics, and assemble a roster of 20 highly qualified combat veterans who demonstrate exceptional physical fitness, hold valid passports, and show unwavering dedication to the mission’s objectives.
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All deployments are thoughtfully planned to span twelve days, providing participants with the time and space needed for meaningful reflection and connection. This carefully structured itinerary balances visits to significant locations with opportunities for quiet introspection, enabling veterans to revisit the places that shaped their service and their lives. The experience is designed to foster healing, strengthen camaraderie, and support personal resolution. By creating a respectful and supportive environment, we strive to help each veteran process the past, reconnect with fellow participants, and find renewed peace along the journey.
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Each itinerary is thoughtfully crafted around your wartime experiences, providing a deeply immersive and restorative journey that honors the memory of those who made the ultimate sacrifice. These travels return you to the specific regions where you and your unit once served, creating a powerful and personal connection between past and present. Walking these historic grounds offers a profound opportunity to revisit your own story—gaining deeper insight into the landscapes, challenges, and defining moments that shaped both your service and your life’s journey.
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To honor the sacrifices of Vietnam veterans, 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 program establishes a respectful intergenerational bridge, fostering shared reflection, mutual understanding, and lasting bonds of service. By bringing together those who served in different eras, the initiative promotes healing, honors collective sacrifice, and strengthens the enduring legacy of courage carried forward 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 fellow combat veterans who understand the significance and emotional weight of your return. With medical, logistical, and production professionals accompanying you throughout the experience, every aspect of the journey is guided with respect, dignity, and a spirit of quiet reflection.
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The answer is no. The Battlefield Repatriation Initiative is strictly limited to combat veterans who served together as comrades in arms. This eligibility requirement is non-negotiable and central to the integrity and purpose of the program. We expect and appreciate your understanding and respect for these parameters.
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Your return to Vietnam will be provided at no cost, in recognition of your distinguished service and in keeping with our enduring commitment to honor those who served in combat. All aspects of the journey—including international travel, accommodations, and program-related expenses—will be fully covered. This comprehensive support is intended to allow you to focus solely on what truly matters: paying tribute to your service, honoring the fallen, and reflecting on the enduring legacy you share with your fellow veterans.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
