Vietnam Veterans Day is March 29, and all Americans must take time to thank them for their service and to support them in every way possible.

Wreaths Across America Radio this week announced it will air the first in a series of five roundtable discussions for 2022 — focusing on veteran healing through shared stories of resilience, purpose and success.

The first discussion will air on Thursday, March 24, at 7 p.m. and can be heard exclusively on Wreaths Across America Radio.

The March 24 roundtable will focus on military caregivers with a special emphasis on Vietnam-era veterans.

Guest panelists will be interviewed by Wreaths Across America's Executive Director Karen Worcester and Director of Military & Veteran Outreach, former United States Army Captain Joe Regan.

"As we approach Vietnam War Veterans Day, it is important for us to understand that nearly half of our veterans are over the age of 65," Regan said. "These men and women are more likely to be managing two or more chronic conditions when compared to their non-veteran peers and they account for over half of veteran suicide deaths."

Reagan said their care often is the responsibility of their loved ones — spouses and children.

"All of us share a responsibility to fulfill President Lincoln's promise to 'care for those who borne the battle' and because of that, Wreaths Across America is proud to bring together a team of people enabling those caregivers to help create a better understanding of the veteran's, and caregiver's experience."

The goal of the roundtable series is to help reduce barriers for veterans by:

—Supporting generational bonds between service veterans through stories of service and success;

—De-stigmatizing issues faced by veterans and asking for help;

Combating inaccurate perceptions of veterans by discussing the diverse experiences, challenges, and success of service members, veterans, and their families; and

—Connecting veterans with valuable resources.

If members of the public have questions they would like to have the panel address during this discussion, Wreaths Across America Radio is soliciting questions in advance of this discussion via its Facebook page and directly at — waaradio@wreathsacrossamerica.org.

You can listen live at www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/radio and via the iHeart Radio app.

About Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded to continue and expand the annual wreath-laying ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery begun by Maine businessman Morrill Worcester in 1992. The organization's mission — Remember, Honor, Teach — is carried out in part each year by coordinating wreath-laying ceremonies in December at Arlington, as well as thousands of veterans' cemeteries and other locations in all 50 states and beyond.

The Vietnam War marks am extremely difficult time in our history. Many young men and women were sent off to war and they battled bravely. As in all wars, many gave the ultimate sacrifice and many others returned to a nation that was divided and the Vietnam veterans struggled for years to gain the respect they deserved.

So as March 29 approaches, take time to learn more about those struggles and make it a point to thank all veterans for their service to our country.

Reach Bill O'Boyle at 570-991-6118 or on Twitter @TLBillOBoyle, or email at boboyle@timesleader.com.

Source: https://news.yahoo.com/bill-o-boyle-celebrate-national-011700300.html