Lake Charles is now officially the home of the Louisiana Vietnam State Veterans Memorial.

Situated in Veterans Memorial Park on Lakeshore Drive, the three-sided memorial commemorates the 855 Louisiana Vietnam War casualties. Their names are etched into a reflective black stone, backdropped by the lake.

The monument was unveiled on Saturday after the Vietnam War Veterans Day program hosted by the City of Lake Charles Mayor’s Armed Forces Commission at the Lake Charles Event Center.

The memorial is the only official Vietnam Veterans Memorial in the state. It was announced in November after legislation sponsored by State Sen. Jeremy Stine was passed unanimously by both the House and Senate.

The Vietnam-era Huey Helicopter that used to sit in Veterans Memorial Park was destroyed by Hurricane Laura. Lake Charles Mayor Nic Hunter said the city knew they needed an “inspiring” replacement for the helicopter.

“When the idea for a Louisiana official designated Louisiana Vietnam Veterans Memorial arose recognizing Louisiana casualties … we were somewhat shocked to learn that there was no officially designated state memorial.”

He called the new memorial a symbol of the city’s patriotism and the Armed Forces Commission’s dedication to honoring local veterans and casualties of war.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is celebrated each year on March 29, the day the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disetablished 50 years ago. The day of recognition was established in 2017 during President Donald Trump’s first term in office to annually recognize the 58,281 Vietnam War casualties and 1,549 men and women who are still classified as missing in action.

Hunter said commemorative moments grant the opportunity to make a “small positive impact.”

“Perhaps even a modicum of atonement to the thousands of veterans who returned home from serving their country without a proper welcome home.”

Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Charlton J. Megliney, Ret. United States Air Force, echoed this, calling it a permanent reminder for veterans that they will “never again feel isolated, unappreciated or abandoned.”

“The memorial will serve in perpetuity as a reminder that we will never forget the contributions of a group of veterans who all too often faced indifference, hostility or outright blame for their selfless sacrifice to our nation.”

The first recognized “welcome home” parade for Vietnam War veterans was held a decade after the war ended. Keynote Speaker Ret. United States Army Col. Joey Strickland recalled how the country’s reception to veterans affected them.

“Vietnam was considered one of the most divisive wars in American history. … We were just carrying out the orders of our political leaders in Washington,” he said. “The young men and women that fought the Vietnam War were the best our country … But upon returning, we had to deal with Hollywood and the media repeatedly writing stories about crazed Vietnam veterans that were ticking time bombs.”

Decades later, memorials like the Louisiana Vietnam State Veterans Memorial have been erected across the country to honor those who fought in the war. But the brothers-in-arms instituted a tradition to honor each other, he said.

“When Vietnam veterans meet each other … we greet each other by saying, welcome home.”

The $150,000 memorial was funded by donations.