A large crowd gathered on Memorial Day afternoon to observe the 37th annual Vietnam Veterans Memorial ceremonies at Dorchester’s permanent park on Morrissey Boulevard to those killed in the war.

The event featured the annual reading of the 80 names of residents of Dorchester from all branches of the military who died during the conflict. Also in attendance were some South Vietnamese military veterans, almost all of whom now live in Dorchester,who come every year to show their respect for the fallen American soldiers that they fought alongside 50 years ago.

Coordinator Ed Pimental noted that the exercises are focused on the names of the fallen, with other patriotic elements like the Pledge of Allegiance, the National Anthem, and the South Vietnamese National Anthem.

Vietnam Veteran Willy Austin, of Dorchester, salutes after placing a flower for a fallen brother. Seth Daniel photo

Tuan Tran, who operates Kimmy Pharmacy on Dorchester Avenue, served in the South Vietnamese military and was imprisoned after the war. He said that he and his fellow veterans attend the exercises every year out of “honor and gratitude” to the Americans who came to Vietnam to fight.

He added that he and other former soldiers who now live in Dorchester still feel there is more to do in their home country, which they hope to liberate from communist rule one day.

“We have unfinished business over there to bring American democracy to Vietnam, and one day Vietnam will be free like America,” Tran said. “Communists must go away. We will continue until then.”

During the ceremony, the fallen Dorchester soldiers had their names read, and flowers were placed by participants at the base of the memorial, per tradition.

Seth Daniel photos

Jordan Mitchell recites the ‘Pledge of Allegiance’ as event coordinator Ed Pimental, Rich Dobbyn (her grandfather), and Francis Cahill stand in salute. Dobbyn and Cahill have read the names of the fallen for all 37 years of the ceremony.

Do Anh Tuan salutes one of the fallen Dorchester soldiers.

Little Aniela Warot helps her grandfather, Z. Andy Warot, who served in Vietnam, place a flower at the base of the Memorial.

John Vinh, a South Vietnamese Air Force captain, stops in solemn respect for a fallen Dorchester soldier.

Vincent Morrissey salutes a fallen soldier. Morrissey was the commander of the former American Legion Post 1758 in 1980-81.

Caretakers of the monument include Lisa Zinck, Mia McCarthy, Diane Zinck, Taylor Crescenzi, Patty McMahon, and City Councillor John FitzGerald.

Christine and Meg Griffin, along with Griff Doherty, James Griffin, and Kevin Farrell took time to attend the annual Memorial Day Exercises at the Dorchester Vietnam Veterans Memorial where their relative, Thomas Griffin, is listed on the wall. Christine Griffin also served during Vietnam as well.

Tuan Tran and several former South Vietnamese military men salute for the National Anthem and the South Vietnamese National Anthem.