Legion Family members welcome home Vietnam veterans

March 29 marked the 50th anniversary of the last U.S. troops leaving Vietnam. Since 2017, that date has been used to honor Vietnam War veterans, as well as those servicemembers thought to be either prisoners of war or missing in action.

American Legion posts and Legion Family members across the nation annually host or coordinate National Vietnam War Veterans Day events. It was no different this year.

The following are a few examples of how The American Legion commemorated the day at the local level. If your post, district or department conducted a National Vietnam War Veterans Day event, please share your story and photos at www.legiontown.org.

California

In Corona, American Legion Posts 742 and 216 collaborated on a Vietnam War veterans barbecue on March 25 as a way to welcome home Vietnam veterans and thank them for their service.

Connecticut

In Chester, American Legion Post 97 invited the public to a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony at Chester Memorial Park that included an honor and color guard, as well as a fife and bugle corps.

Delaware

In Lewes, American Legion Post 17’s ceremony included Vietnam War veterans being presented with a certificate and lapel pin, and treated to lunch. Post 17 Commander Steve Barrow read the names of the Sussex Countians who perished in the war.

“When they came home, there were no cheers and no parades,” Barrow said of Vietnam veterans. “They quietly slipped back into their lives. We need to show them the high measure of esteem we hold for them. We’ve been holding our applause for 50 years, so let them know how much you appreciate their service.”

Iowa

·       In Newton, American Legion Post 111 had a packed house for its ceremony. Sons of The American Legion Squadron 111 member Jeremy Heaberlin made a plaque bearing the names of the Jasper County veterans who died in Vietnam. The plaque was presented at the ceremony and will be enshrined in the Patriot Club of the American Legion Post 111.

·       In Breda, American Legion Post 607 took part in the Vietnam War Veterans Day event at Arthur N. Neu Airport. More than 100 people attended the event, which included on display an A-7 fighter jet that flew multiple missions over Vietnam.

Maryland

In Bel Air, American Legion Harford Post 39 hosted a ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans, Included at the event were military displays of Vietnam War weapons, vehicles and even C-rations. Local dignitaries and politicians attended the event at the post, which provided champagne and cake for the veterans in attendance.

Massachusetts

In South Hadley, American Legion Post 260 and SAL Squadron 260 joined with the VFW and Military Order of the Purple Heart for a ceremony at the South Hadley Public Library. The ceremony honored Vietnam War veterans and their families, and paid special tribute to those who were prisoners of war.

“We as a nation will not rest in our efforts to secure the release of any U.S. personnel still being held against their will or obtain the fullest possible accounting of all missing, and to return all recoverable American remains so that we may relieve the suffering of the families,” said Post 260 Commander Brian Willette, who also spoke of mental health issues many veterans faced after coming home from the war. He noted that Post 260 will conduct a “Be The One” event later this year to discuss post-traumatic stress disorder and mental health.

Servicemembers from the community who died while serving in Vietnam were remembered with a wreath-laying ceremony and the sounding of Taps. Gold Star families were also recognized. The event also included the dedication of two new signs, which will be placed on both sides of the South Hadley/Holyoke Vietnam Veterans Memorial Bridge, to Vietnam veterans.

Montana

Bill Rich, commander of American Legion Post 2 in Helena, delivered the keynote speech during a ceremony at the Montana State Capitol rotunda. More than 100 people attended the event, which included music and a proclamation honoring the 36,000 state residents who served in the U.S. military during the war.

Rich noted many young Americans don’t know of the sacrifices made by the generations before them. “We’re losing that perspective,” he said. “If we lose our sense of history, we’ve lost a lot of our country.”

New York

In Le Roy, Botts Fiorito American Legion Post 576’s ceremony including the reading of a proclamation from the Genesee County Legislature, a rifle salute and the playing of Taps.

North Carolina

In Iredell County, American Legion Auxiliary Units 65 and 401 conducted a ceremony where every Vietnam veteran was presented a pin by the West Iredell JROTC cadets. The cadets saluted each of the veterans, who returned the salute. Vietnam veterans also shared their experiences during the war.

Oklahoma

In Guthrie, the American Legion Family at Lebron Post 58 hosted a Vietnam War commemoration that honored all Vietnam War veterans.

Pennsylvania

In Quakertown, Wallace Willard Post 242 hosted Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day, which included a complimentary buffet for all Vietnam-era veterans.

Texas

·       In San Antonio, American Legion Post 828 brought the community together to honor the area’s Vietnam War veterans, hosting the event with support from Humana, which distributed commemorative Vietnam War pins. “Our Vietnam veterans have been hit very hard with illnesses and advancing age,” said Post 828 Commander Burrell Parmer. “They are our heroes, and it is fitting to honor them and their loved ones with a meal and entertainment. Our Vietnam veterans did not receive the proper welcome home back then. They are welcome home now and always to include a home with Fred Brock Post 828.”

·       In Bandera County, American Legion Post 157 invited all of the area’s Vietnam War-era veterans and their families to a program honoring their service. Veterans received special pins, and were provided with food, drinks and music.  

Virginia

In Lynchburg, American Legion Post 16’s event drew more than 100 people. Vietnam veterans were able to share their stories. One of the speakers was was veteran David Harker, who spent more than 1,800 days as a prisoner of war.

West Virginia

In Morgantown, American Legion Post 174 conducted a reception and recognition for Vietnam veterans and their families. Cecil Roberts, the United Mine Workers of America president who was an infantryman in Vietnam, gave keynote remarks during the event.

Wisconsin

In Menominee, American Legion Post 146 hosted its first commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event started outside with the raising of the flag, the singing of the national anthem, the playing of Taps and a three-volley rifle salute.

The ceremony then moved inside, where Vietnam veterans were recognized and had the opportunity to share their experiences.

“This is very near and dear to my heart and has been for years,” said American Legion Auxiliary Unit 146 President Judy Pier, whose husband served in Vietnam.