History Resources

Inside the Vault: Senator Ted Kennedy on Caring for Veterans and Healing the Nation after the Vietnam War

by Gilder Lehrman Institute Staff

“But the first and immediate task is to care for the addict, the jobless, and the wounded veterans home from Southeast Asia.”

— Senator Ted Kennedy

Many service people who had suffered physical and psychological injuries during the Vietnam War found limited support systems when they returned home. In addition, unlike earlier generations, Vietnam War veterans often faced a hostile reception due to antiwar sentiment and disappointment with the war outcome. After receiving a letter in 1973 calling for amnesty for conscientious objectors, Senator Ted Kennedy wrote a response that expressed his support for the idea while pressing for improved care for veterans. We’ll be looking at this letter to examine the end of the Vietnam War and the needs of veterans as Kennedy saw them.

On May 1, 2025, our curators discussed Senator Ted Kennedy’s 1973 letter with Dr. Barbara Perry, J. Wilson Newmann Professor of Governance at the University of Virginia’s Miller Center.

Download the slides from the presentation here.

Featured Documents

USE THE TIMESTAMPS TO JUMP TO THE TOPIC YOU WANT TO VIEW

0:33–1:16: Today’s Document
2:03–5:06: Edward “Ted” Kennedy’s background
5:07–8:54: Ted Kennedy in Congress
8:55–15:03: Timeline of American involvement in the Vietnam War
15:04–18:41: The number of US military forces in Vietnam
18:42–23:23: The end of American involvement in Vietnam
23:24–27:09: Healing the nation
27:10–29:59: Muhammad Ali and draft evasion
30:00–34:40: Kennedy on those who evaded the draft
34:41–40:12: National interest and reconciliation
40:13–47:32: Caring for and honoring veterans
47:33–59:42: Q&A

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