What is SDIT?

What is SDIT? 

Sons and Daughters In Touch represent the estimated 20,000 ‘children’ of American servicemen lost in the Vietnam War. Today, these Gold Star ‘sons and daughters’ are the middle-aged personification of the resilience that Gold Star ‘children’ overcome in the face of life’s greatest challenges. 

Who were our fathers?

  • Our fathers are among the 58,281 American servicemen lost in the Vietnam War.
  • They represented every ethnic and social class in America.
  • They were Privates, Airmen, Corpsmen, and some were Generals.
  • They were drafted by and enlisted into every branch of the US military. They served from the beginning to the end of the Vietnam War, fighting in every battle along the way.
  • On land, in the air, and at sea, our dads were lost at the very beginning and end of their combat tours…and some are still unaccounted for in SE Asia.

Today, our fathers are remembered on every panel of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.

The Beginning 

Sons and Daughters In Touch (SDIT) was established in 1989, seven years after the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. At the time, no organization existed to support and mobilize the Gold Star and POW/MIA ‘sons and daughters’ whose fathers are listed on The Wall.

Media exposure from Parade MagazineSunday Today with Maria Shriver, and CBS Sunday Morning helped promote the identity and formation of this group of young adults. 

The Mission 

SDIT exists “to locate, unite and support the Gold Star and POW/MIA ‘sons and daughters’ whose fathers were lost during the Vietnam War.

This mission is accomplished via peer-to-peer support, paying tribute to our fathers at the hallowed grounds of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, hosting programs and events across the nation, continually locating new members, directing members to the right sources for case management, and advocating for state and federal legislation upholding the honor and traditions of America’s Gold Star Families.

SDIT regularly partners with America’s Veterans Service Organizations to build connections with those who fought alongside our fathers. Since September 11, 2001, SDIT has also healing efforts by working with America’s latest generation of Gold Star families who are desperate for what lays ahead in this unique life experience.

The Vision 

The Gold Star designation is not something to which anyone should aspire or pursue. Instead, it should always be the aspiration of our nation that there is never a newly minted Gold Star Family.

While it would be ideal that no child ever loses his or her father or mother in military combat, such a dream is not likely. To that end, SDIT sees a future where the lessons of previous wars are used to provide better care for America’s Gold Star families, not only at the time of their tragic loss – but throughout their lifetimes.

Welcome Home

SDIT is proud to be an Honorary Commemorative Partner of the Vietnam War Commemoration. As the nation officially marks the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, SDIT is actively supporting recognition efforts that have now honored more than 3 million Vietnam Veterans.

In May 2023, SDIT is playing a central role in the ‘Welcome Home!’ celebration on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The 3-day event honors all Vietnam Veterans and their families with a series of programs, exhibits, displays, concerts, film screenings, and patriotic tributes.  

The History of Father’s Day 

In 1992, SDIT held its first national Father’s Day reunion at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. That weekend of events provided hundreds of Gold Star ‘sons and daughters’ with a first-ever opportunity to meet other sons and daughters and engage in innovative peer-to-peer support. For most, this marked their first opportunity to trace their fathers’ names on The Wall.

SDIT also hosted national Father’s Day celebrations in 1993, 1997, 2000, 2005, 2010 and 2015, helping make Father’s Day one of the most popular and photographed days at the ‘The Wall.’

Due to the pandemic, SDIT held a virtual Father’s Day celebration in 2020.

Vietnam 2003 

In March 2003, SDIT led the largest-ever Gold Star pilgrimage to Vietnam. The historic journey was guided by 20 combat veterans who helped lead 50 Gold Star & POW/MIA ‘sons and daughters’ to find the exact locations where their fathers were lost during the war.

Funding 

To propel its efforts, SDIT pursues funding from foundations, Veterans Service Organizations, its supporters, and members. The tax ID number for SDIT is 54-1655310. 

 

Newsletter December 2022

Newsletter December 2022

SDIT in 2022 – What a Year!

As you gather with family and friends to celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, and other holidays this season, take a moment to celebrate SDIT too!

A year ago, plans may not have called for this much activity, but 2022 was among the most successful and busy years in the organization’s 33-year history.

Across the nation, SDIT members were involved in scores of activities and benefitted from programs for Gold Star families. All this activity was driven by the purpose of “locating, uniting, and supporting” the children of American servicemen who didn’t return home from the Vietnam War.

SDIT is very fortunate to have an incredibly dedicated group of Board Members, Advisors, and volunteers who volunteered to make all this happen. Thanks to each of them for such generous commitments of time and talent!

Have a joyous and peaceful holiday season!

Sons and Daughters In Touch

 

Newsletter SDIT Dec 2022
Memorial Day 2022

Memorial Day 2022

Memorial Day 2022

In honor of America’s fallen service members and Gold Star families, on Memorial Day President Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden invited a small group to join them in planting a Magnolia Tree on the White House grounds.

SDIT and the National League of POW/MIA Families were honored to be invited and proud to be represented by Denise Reed (pink jacket; daughter of Harold B. Reed; Army KIA 1966) and Jill Hubbs (red jacket; daughter of Donald R. Hubbs, Navy MIA 1968).

Memorial Day 2022
40th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

40th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

 From the eUpdate Newsletter

40th Anniversary of the Groundbreaking of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial

&

National Vietnam War Veterans Day

March 26-29, 2022

“With conviction, our Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans.”

This year marks the fifth anniversary of March 29 being designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

Across the nation, take time to thank and honor those who answered the call, confronted the enemy, supported the effort, returned home, and cemented their places as great American entrepreneurs.

Capitalizing on a “Can Do” spirt, they seized the initiative and made every corner of America a better place. They raised families, started businesses, and held elective office. They built the iconic Vietnam Veterans Memorial, formed Vietnam Veterans of America, befriended the Gold Star Families of their fallen battle buddies, and continue fighting for causes benefitting all veterans!

The members of Sons and Daughters In Touch extend to all Vietnam veterans a most sincere, “Thank You” and “Welcome Home!”

Read the Full News here

SDIT e-Update, March 2022

 
SDIT Impact Report

SDIT Impact Report

Sons and Daughters In Touch are proud to share this Impact Report capturing both recent and historic accomplishments of the organization. Since its inception in 1989, SDIT has pursued its mission: “…to locate, unite and support the children of American servicemen who were killed or remain missing in the Vietnam War.” For more than 30 years, our grassroots efforts worked towards fulfilling that mission. Along the way, SDIT has impacted tens of thousands from America’s Gold Star families of the Vietnam War, other older and younger Gold Star families who help comprise `the Long Gold Line,” and our nation’s veterans too.
 
As you read this report, we invite you to celebrate the accomplishments and be part of the future of
Sons and Daughters In Touch! 
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier Centennial Commemoration

On November 11, 1921, Arlington National Cemetery welcomed America’s unknown soldier from World War l and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier was dedicated.

Now, a century later our nation will observe this centennial commemoration over Veterans Day, November 9-11, 2021.

The tomb is meaningful and symbolic to Sons and Daughters In Touch as a constant reminder of the nation’s commitment to obtaining the fullest possible accounting of each American service member who has yet to return home. In 1959, unknown soldiers from World War ll and the Korean War were enshrined alongside the “World War l unknown”. An empty crypt symbolically represents those unaccounted for from the Vietnam War.

For the first time ever, the public is being invited to step onto the plaza and place a flower tribute at the tomb. To learn more about this ceremony and other events during the Centennial Commemoration, visit the following links:

Tomb Guards: https://tombguard.org/centennial
Arlington National Cemetery: https://arlingtoncemetery.mil/Tomb100