Vietnam veterans gathered Saturday to talk about their experiences and to help one another heal. The fourth annual Vietnam Veteran Appreciation Gathering in Altoona and brings us the story.

"My responsibilities as a young 19 year old was to be a patch man,” says David Backstrom.

"I was a teenage medic in what they call navel support activity," says Backstrom.

David Backstrom says up until recently Vietnam Veterans didn't get a lot of credit for serving during a dangerous time.

"I think what happened is they understand with another war going on they're thinking wow what the heck, well stronger language, but what an awful thing to have happen to solders," says Backstrom.

Backstrom was one of the vets who took to the open mic Saturday to talk about his experiences in Vietnam.

Thuy Smith and her group, The Thuy Smith International Outreach, put on the fourth annual gathering.

The group helps children in Vietnam and works with veterans here in the states.

"These guys are now seeing that it's a positive thing to come together like this. Vietnam was a long time ago but it will always be a part of them but we can come together and make it a positive thing today," says Thuy Smith.

Back in July Backstrom and Smith were both in Madison when the bill for a day for Vietnam Veterans was signed into law.

"This is something just a little extra special for the Vietnam vets that they never got before and it means a lot it's just that final full circle moment for them to finally get that recognition that’s been a long time coming," says Thuy Smith.

"It's a very powerful peace of what I call healing. It’s a healing process and it's going to have impact on many of the Wisconsin veterans," says David Backstrom.

Smith says having vets get together and talk helps them heal and learn that they aren't alone.

"The least any of these guys did was their duty and for that they should be proud," says Smith.

Backstrom has a message for vets out there that still feel alone.

"We heal each other come and join us," says Backstrom.

The first official Vietnam Veteran's Day in Wisconsin will take place March 27, 2010.