More than a dozen people attended a ceremony Tuesday honoring Vietnam War veterans ahead of National Vietnam War Veterans Day at Miramar National Cemetery.
Col. Brendan P. Sullivan, commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment, gave a keynote speech, CBS8 reported, adding that his father served in the Vietnam War.
The U.S. Marine Band played to begin the gathering.
Vietnam War veteran Sal Pellerito told the station events like the gathering a therapeutic for veterans.
“I threw away all my military clothes and just kind of slid into the American life,” Pellerito told CBS8 about his actions after the war. “I don’t think I told anyone I was a Vietnam Veteran for 20 years.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs also hosted the event, and had representatives there to answer questions about benefits, according to CBS8.
City News Service contributed to this article.