Those who served in the Vietnam War endured one of the most gruesome wars in United States history. Thus, it is no surprise, that those who endured it together share a unique bond.
U.S. Navy veteran Patrick Switzer is one of those soldiers. He and veteran Leno Martinez served on the USS Boston in 1967. Soon after, the pair would lose touch.
Switzer had been looking for Martinez, but little did he know that Martinez had been tracking down all of his former friends. We've seen this before with other Vietnam vets, like Rick and Joe, who had a tear-jerking reunion.
“We haven’t seen each other in 48 or 49 years, and just out of the clear blue — it was just unbelievable — we were trying to get in contact with each other again,” says Switzer.
Switzer received a call from him, and a year later, the two hopped on their motorcycles to reunite.
“I see him, and I’m thinking back to when we were 19 years old,” said Martinez. “All the good times we had together, and bad times, but we all share this together.”
“We were like family,” said Switzer. “You depended on him, he depended on me. We covered each other's backs.”
Martinez is now traveling around the country to visit 10 other vets. His advice to others who served in Vietnam?
“Not to give up on their friends,” said Martinez. “The times you all had. Not to forget the past. Yes, that was part of your history, but don’t forget your friends. Maybe make it a point at some time in your life to still get together.”
See the touching reunion below and please SHARE to support those who serve our country — their stories should be heard!
