Jesse Rodriguez served with the First Field Force in Vietnam.

Adrenne Mendoza spends her days trying to find jobs for the hundreds of Central Texas veterans returning from war. But her work at the American GI Forum isn't the only indication of her dedication to veterans.

"To continue to try to help their families and to prevent what we had in Vietnam," she said.

Vietnam is a place her father knows well. Jesse Rodriguez served with the First Field Force and delivered ammunition during the Battle of Ben Het.

"You could see the choppers trying to give us power support, but they couldn't medevac our wounded, and it was a lot of feelings of helplessness," he said.

	For more information:
• Click here to find Veterans and view and add photos to the Vet Friends website. • Events around the U.S. for Veteran reunions and other military events. • Find a reunion through The American Legion.

Adrenne has always wanted to find a way to help her father heal.

"I can see it in his face that he feels like he failed, or he didn't do enough," she said.

Jesse's feelings of failure stirred up Adrenne's desire to do something. It all started on Father's Day, when Adrenne got on the computer to help her father.

"Then, he just asked me if, 'In the computer, you think you can help me find some of my buddies?'" she said.

Adrenne connected with a gentleman named Raul Rodriguez, of Denton, who served in the Battle of Ben Het, but not with her father. That link led to a phone call a few days later.

	Jesse delivered ammunition during the battle of Ben Het.

"[Raul] goes, 'Are you sitting down?' And I said, 'Yes.' He goes, 'I found one of your dad's buddies. I e-mailed him and I called him to let him know Jesse is trying to get a hold of him,'" she said.

That buddy was Sgt. Jim Vialard, a young kid from Denville, New Jersey, the son of a World War II veteran.

"[Jim] called me one day, like he said, and I was driving home from work and as soon as I heard his voice, I got emotional. He said, just hearing my voice just letting him know my dad was alive, that he had been looking for him," Adrenne said.

		WATCH THE VIDEO
	Vietnam Vets Reunited News 8's Crestina Chavez explains how it all started with one daughter's decision to give her dad the ultimate Father's Day present.

Jim had been in touch with another young man among their band of brothers, Jack Kelley. Jack never knew Jesse made it out alive.

"I wanted them to have their parade. I wanted them to feel like welcome home," she said.

On Friday, Oct. 16, Jesse, Jim, and Jack would all meet again for the first time in 40 years.

"Oh my God," Jesse said. "My heart is pounding right now."

Jesse, surrounded by his wife, two of his daughters, and a grandson waited anxiously as flight CO 350 arrived.

	Adrenne Mendoza and her father wait for their guests to arrive.

"There he is," Jesse said pointing.

And, there he was, Jim Vialard. They embraced warmly and looked at each other like this moment wasn't really happening. You couldn't help but smile.

"It's the happiest day of my life," Jim said.

Forty years later, Jim was a married man retired from a career in the aerospace industry. He has a son who went into the military as well, making it three generations of Vialards dedicated to military service.

A couple of hours later, flying in from Post Falls, ID, Jack made the descent into the baggage claim area where Jesse and Jim were waiting.

"Been waiting for you all day brother, where ya been?" Jim said.

	Recommended Reading:
We Were Soldiers Once and Young, by General Moore and Joe Galloway.

Jack gave Jesse a tight hug and several pats on the back and then offered Jim a firm handshake.

"I think I'm in shock," Jack said.

Jack stayed married to the woman he wed before he was drafted. He took her with him. Her name was Janice, the name that appeared on the vehicle Jack drove to deliver ammo.

It didn't take long for these men to become boys again, youth robbed of innocence.

	Jim, Jesse and Jack meet again for the first time in 40 years.

"It's real emotional. Stuff down there that needs to come out. I think that's why I'm here," Jack said without the ability to hold back the tears.

"I love these guys, I'm so glad to see them after all this time," Jim said. "It's amazing. Jesse and Jack, they mean the world to me."

"That feeling of their love and their brotherhood. I cherish it very much," Jesse said.

A daughter's love unfolds before us.

"I'm happy for my father, to see their faces light up when they saw each other," Adrenne said. "I know my dad is at peace, found some sort of peace, peace with Vietnam."

	Veteran's Day activities in Central Texas:
• Information for Veterans Day activities in Travis County and the City of Austin. • Information for Veterans Day activities in Hutto. • Information for Veterans Day activities in Bastrop. • Information for Veterans Day activities in Lampasas. • Other Veterans Day activities around Central Texas (including Killeen) from Vetfriends.com.