For years after leaving the U.S. Navy, one Vietnam veteran remained quiet about his military service after returning home with feelings of shame and guilt. Decades later, he found pride in the service he once kept to himself.

Rev. Dr. Ed “Doc” Golden, chaplain of the Vietnam Veterans of America Heart of America Chapter 317, recently shared that journey as keynote speaker at the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall ceremony, describing how experiences surrounding a Vietnam Wall in 2010 eventually led to years of honoring other veterans and their families.

At 17, Golden joined the Navy in 1961 and served for 10 years aboard four ships. His fourth ship was the USS Vega, a refrigerated cargo store ship that took supplies to Vietnam.

He returned home after the American Red Cross contacted him about his two children and received an honorable discharge, ending the 20-year Navy career he had once envisioned for himself.

“My dream was gone. I wasn’t going to finish my 20 years,” stated Golden. “I was fu…