WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) – A local man’s family was reunited Thursday with dog tag that the man had lost after returning to the states after serving in Vietnam.

Thirty years ago, U.S. Army veteran Richard Wiler lost his dog tag during a combat mission in Vietnam and today his sons Andrew and Jeff Wiler recieved them in a ceremony held at the Cape Fear Community College. Other veterans joined the family in accepting a token from the war veteran's past.

Jeff Wiler said, "I don't think he had the pride because when he came back no one really accepted Vietnam for what it was," when asked about how his father would have reacted if he were alive today.

Wiler's grandson, Caleb, honored the veteran by playing the National Anthem. Caleb never had the chance to meet his grandfather but says this is a token he too can share with his family.

During Wiler's time in the war, he was wounded and was awarded two Purple Heart medals.