WASHINGTON — The Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) and its Auxiliary are proud to join a grateful nation in commemorating National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29, and celebrate the millions Vietnam era veterans on the fifth anniversary of the holiday.
In 2017, March 29 was officially designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day as a way for Americans to honor and celebrate the men and women who wore our nation’s cloth a generation ago. The day holds a special place in history as March 29, 1973, was the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam, as well as the same timeframe which Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war. The day honors not only the 9 million U.S. military men and women who served in southeast Asian theater of operations, it also celebrates all who served during the Vietnam war, both at home and abroad. They answered the nation’s call and served with distinction.
This celebration of service was not the case more than 50 years ago. America did not feel like a united country to those who lived through the turbulent era. Political division, civil strife, and the Vietnam War itself put many at odds with one another. Many of those who served during that time faced harsh criticism, insults and rejection. Despite their treatment, this generation of veterans would go on to contribute immensely to the country they served, helping the nation become a world leader in business, technology, and diplomacy.
As we commemorate the service of those from the Vietnam era, let us not forget there are some that haven’t made it back from where their nation sent them. According to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), nearly 1,600 service members remain unaccounted-for from the Vietnam War. Experts at DPAA are in a race against time as the elements, soil acidity and the local population’s fading recollections make the task of finding and identifying the remains of those missing more challenging as the years go by. Because of this, the VFW will continue to support DPAA’s mission in accounting for as many of those missing in action as possible. We will keep the POW/MIA flag flying high and keep the candle lit for their return.
This National Vietnam War Veterans Day, the VFW encourages all Americans to honor our Vietnam War era veterans and let them know how much they are appreciated. Take this opportunity to give a hearty “Welcome Home” to those who made it back from the Vietnam War and a “Thank you for your service” to all from the era.