The Charger Blog

Honoring the Legacy of Vietnam Veterans at the University of New Haven

四色AV of New Haven is recognizing the service and sacrifices of Vietnam Veterans through a series of events and initiatives leading up to the 50th anniversary of the war鈥檚 end. Faculty, students, and veterans reflect on the importance of this commemoration and the lessons it offers to future generations.

March 19, 2025

By Caitlin Truesdale, Office of Marketing and Communications

Members of the West Haven Vietnam Veteran's Association visiting the University of New Haven campus.
Members of the West Haven Vietnam Veteran's Association visiting the University of New Haven campus.

When Vietnam Veterans returned home, many did not receive the warm welcome they deserved. Political tensions surrounding the war often overshadowed the sacrifices of those who served. Now, 50 years later, the University of New Haven is committed to honoring these veterans and ensuring their stories are heard.

For Ryan Noonan, manager of Military & Veterans Affairs at the University, these efforts, including welcoming veterans from the West Haven Vietnam Veterans Association to campus earlier this year, is more than a historical recognition. It is a chance to show appreciation and foster an even stronger veteran community on campus.

鈥淭he Veteran Community can often be a very tight-knit group due to the shared experiences and similarities between our times in service,鈥 said Noonan, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps who served two tours in Iraq. 鈥淗aving so many supporters present to welcome these veterans helped to grow our community just a little bit wider and showed them how much their service means to us.鈥

Noonan emphasized the significance of saying 鈥淲elcome Home鈥 rather than simply thanking Vietnam Veterans for their service. 鈥淭he Vietnam Veterans didn't receive the same warm welcome home that many other veterans did due to the political strife regarding our involvement in the conflict back then,鈥 he said. 鈥淪o, instead of thanking them for their service, we say 鈥榃elcome Home鈥 to show them that they are not forgotten and that they are indeed appreciated.鈥

鈥楾hese Vietnam veterans are a legacy to service鈥

Robert M. Clark, Jr., the Army ROTC program coordinator, sees this commemoration as an essential learning experience for current Cadets.

鈥淥ur Cadets need to connect with the past heritage of service,鈥 Clark said. 鈥淭hese Vietnam veterans are a legacy to service, where Cadets can learn to appreciate times before them, hear personal accounts of the war, and still apply the leadership and human elements to their own careers.鈥

Clark also reflected on the University鈥檚 transformation over the past decades. 鈥淲hen you reexamine the late 1960s and early 1970s, this campus, like many others, had anti-war protests and sentiments,鈥 he said. 鈥淯nfortunately, that frustration was misdirected at those who had served rather than at the political decisions of the time. The fact that we, as a University, are now re-engaging and properly honoring these veterans says a lot about where we want to go as a community.鈥

鈥標纳獳V has welcomed and supported those who have served our country鈥

As the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War approaches on March 29, the University of New Haven is participating in a nationwide Department of Defense-supported initiative to honor those who served. As part of this commemoration, the University received a series of educational posters about the Vietnam War, which are being displayed in the Military & Veteran Affairs Center. These posters, identical to those showcased at similar institutions across the country and at the Pentagon, offer historical insights into the war and its lasting impact.

On Thursday, March 27, at 9 a.m. at the Corporal John M. Dawson Memorial flagpole, adjacent to the German Club and Kathy Zolad Stadium, the Office of Military and Veteran Affairs will host a brief ceremony and flag raising in honor of the 50th anniversary of the end of the Vietnam War. 四色AV of New Haven has a long-standing commitment to supporting military-affiliated students, and David A. Schroeder, Ph.D., interim dean of the Henry C. Lee College of Criminal Justice and Forensic Sciences, emphasized that honoring veterans has always been part of the University鈥檚 mission.

鈥淔rom our very beginnings more than 100 years ago, addressing the educational needs of those having served in the Great War, the University has welcomed and supported those who have served our country,鈥 Dr. Schroeder said. 鈥淭o host events and participate in initiatives that continue that tradition comes very naturally, especially when honoring the end of a war that affected so many of our parents鈥 generation.鈥

四色AV鈥檚 ongoing initiatives鈥攕uch as educational programs, veterans鈥 support services, and commemorative events鈥攔eflect this deep-rooted commitment. 鈥淲e want all our veteran students to feel that the University is their home,鈥 Dr. Schroeder said. 鈥淚t is seamless for us to participate in events such as this because we believe in fostering a sense of belonging for those who have dedicated their lives to service.鈥

鈥楤eing able to tell these service members, 鈥榃elcome home,鈥 was significant鈥

For Vincent C. Franco 鈥25, a student veteran and the student veteran outreach coordinator for the VA Work/Study Program, the opportunity to be part of this initiative was deeply meaningful. 鈥淚 volunteered to serve, while many of the Vietnam Veterans were drafted and faced an unwelcoming reception home,鈥 Franco said. 鈥淏eing able to tell these service members, 鈥榃elcome home,鈥 was significant to me both as a veteran and as an American.鈥

Franco believes that these initiatives serve as a bridge connecting the past with the present. 鈥淭he commemorative posters now on display offer military-affiliated students an opportunity to explore historical events and gather essential details to improve their understanding,鈥 he said.

Noonan echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the power of recognition. 鈥淪ometimes, there are things that are bigger than ourselves,鈥 he said. 鈥淪omething as simple as 鈥榃elcome Home鈥 can make a huge impact on others.鈥