The Vietnam war ended 50 years ago this week and Biddeford had a presentation to honor the veterans of the war.

A presentation of colors took place on Friday along with military music that was played by the Biddeford High School’s band.

Organizers said that the presentation is a way to say “welcome home” to those who have perhaps waited too long to hear it.

CBS 13 reports that Don Chretien, a former captain with the U.S. Marine Corps and a Vietnam veteran, spoke about his service and the lessons he wished this country would have learned from the conflict.

“Misinformation as well as outright lies and exaggerations of battlefield successes led to a long, drawn out affair. I keep hoping we’ve learned, but certainly we didn’t learn from Vietnam,” Chretien said in a quote from CBS 13.

The Biddeford native served in the Vietnam war as a Marine.