The first episode of Veterans AZ launched on a very special day: March 29 is National Vietnam War Veterans Day, established in 2012 as the one day each year that we specifically honor and thank veterans who served in the longest conflict in U.S. History.

Vietnam veterans comprise the largest living group of veterans in the nation, men and women who sacrificed and served with honor, but rarely received a "welcome home."

This episode of Veterans AZ features a conversation with Mike Burns, a Scottsdale resident who, in 1965, was in charge of 200 young Marines in the unfamiliar territory of South Vietnam.

Also featured is Tom Kirk, Unites States Air Force - a resident of Anthem, Arizona, who flew 67 combat missions over Vietnam until the fateful day when he was shot down, beginning more than 5 years as a prisoner of war in the infamous Hanoi Hilton.

A vignette is included that tells the story of Jay Vargas, from Winslow, Arizona, who earned the Congressional Medal of Honor for his actions above and beyond the call of duty leading his Marine regiment in Dai Do, Republic of Vietnam.

To these brave men and to all our Vietnam Veterans we say, thank you, and welcome home.

Find video episodes at VeteransAZ.org, and listen in your favorite podcast app.