SDIT- Our History

	Sons and Daughters In Touch ~ They Were Our Fathers ~

Before the founding of Sons and Daughters In Touch in 1990, those who lost their fathers in Vietnam had no resources to help them understand their emotional experience. Many grew to adulthood wondering if they could somehow be the only one to have endured such a loss.

Among the 58,226 Americans lost in Southeast Asia, it is estimated that more than one-third were fathers. Back home, more than 20,000 American children were left to wonder why Daddy wasn't coming home. Today, through local chapter events and National SDIT reunions, and partnerships with Veteran's community, these sons and daughters have become shining examples of America's resilience. By perpetuating the healing inspired by the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, SDIT is teaching the cost of war, and setting an example for others to follow.

On Father's Day 1965, an Air Force jet disappeared over Vietnam. Four years later, eight-year-old Tony Cordero helped bury his father. As the 25th anniversary of his father's death approached, Tony made a promise to himself. He wanted to find others who, like him, had lost a father in Vietnam and had been afraid to talk about it. His quest led him to Wanda Ruffin, then the director of In-Touch; a program committed to connecting family, friends and Veterans of those listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Wanda was eager to put Tony in touch with another young adult whose father was killed in Vietnam - her own daughter Wende.

The meeting between Tony and Wende was one of emotional relief. They spoke of common experiences and enjoyed an instant camaraderie. "Finally were able to share the anger, pain and guilt we'd kept locked inside," explained Tony. This bond began their healing. A 1990 Memorial Day article in Parade Magazine prompted responses from hundreds of sons and daughters across the country wanting to meet and share their experiences with others that would understand them.

The first "Proud to Remember", Father's Day 1992 gathering received an overwhelming response from hundreds of children, families and Veterans. Weekend events offered nearly 400 daughters and sons their first opportunity to share, learn and begin to grow beyond the pain. On that June morning, these living legacies gathered at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial to pay a powerful tribute to their fathers. For many, this marked the first time that they were able to touch their father's name on the Memorial. For all, the healing process had begun as they proclaimed, "They were our fathers."

In 1993, SDIT hosted its second Father's Day Reunion in Washington, DC, welcoming a larger audience of sons and daughters, their families and supportive Veterans. Following its second Father's Day Reunion, SDIT set out to establish itself as a fully recognized non-profit organization. Articles of Incorporation and By-laws were approved, a working board of directors was elected, an operating budget adopted and SDIT formally began the business of healing the wounds left from America's most divisive war.

After much planning and preparation, the third Father's Day Reunion was held in June 1997, at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. Again, hundreds of sons and daughters went to our Nation's capitol to honor their fathers, some for the first time, others for their second or third. Many felt compelled to bring their children, to teach them of their Grandfather's significant place in United States history.

Today Sons & Daughters In Touch has made an impact in the lives of more than 3,000 sons and daughters from every state in the country. Every major Veteran's organization supports the work of SDIT. Similar organizations have formed to benefit the children of America's other wars.SDIT chapters are permitting members to support each other, to work with Veteran organizations and to volunteer their time when traveling replicas of "The Wall" are displayed in their communities. SDIT members were honored to march in both America's National Independence Day Parade in Washington, D.C., and in the country's longest running 4th of July Parade held in Bristol, Rhode Island.

SDIT celebrated its fifteenth anniversary by hosting its largest reunion on Father’s Day 2005, in Washington, D.C. Celebration 2000: "They Were Our Father's…." SDIT Trip to Vietnam planned for the Spring of 2003.