American Legion Family members nationwide commemorate Vietnam War Veterans Day.
On March 29, Americans nationwide came together in their communities to pay respect – and in some cases, welcome home – the 9 million U.S. servicemembers who fought in the Vietnam War, including the 58,000 who were killed during the war.
And members of the American Legion Family led many of those remembrances.
The day, chosen because on March 29, 1973, U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Also on that day, Operation Homecoming was completed, when the last of 591 U.S. prisoners were released and returned to the United States.
In the nation’s capital, American Legion National Vice Commander Ronald L. LaRose attended the National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. The ceremony included attendance by Medal of Honor recipients Patrick H. Brady, Paris Davis and James McCloughan; retired U.S. Marine Corps Maj. James Capers Jr., the first African American to command a Marine Recon company and the first enlisted African American Marine officer to receive a battlefield commission; and remarks from U.S. Department of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Secretary Doug Collins.
The following are a few other examples of how Legion Family members honored Vietnam veterans in their communities. Please share how you commemorated Vietnam War Veterans Day by posting your stories and photos at www.legiontown.org.
Arizona
In Peoria, John J. Morris Post 62’s American Legion Auxiliary unit conducted a welcome-home ceremony for the third straight year. Following a toast, each veteran was presented a rose and served cake.
Hawaii
In Honolulu, the American Legion Department of Hawaii participated in the annual National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade in Waikiki. The parade brought together Vietnam veterans, veterans service organizations, active-duty military units, marching bands and community groups, and served as a way to highlight Hawaii’s historic role as a critical Pacific gateway for troops. The parade also served as a welcome home to Vietnam veterans who did not receive such recognition upon their return from the war.
Maine
· In Rumford, American Legion Post 24 hosted its second annual Vietnam veterans luncheon, drawing 50 veterans and their guests. The luncheon was a collaboration between Post 24, Auxiliary Unit 24 and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 24, as well as with support from Cub Scout Pack 580 and Troop 580. The event also included resources for veterans as well as haircuts.
· In Dexter, American Legion Post 53 served a free dinner to Vietnam War veterans that was attended by veterans in multiple towns.
Massachusetts
In South Hadley, American Legion Post 260 hosted its annual ceremony to honor Vietnam veterans at the South Hadley Public Library. The event recognized local servicemembers and featured a special tribute to Vincent McCann, a Holyoke soldier killed in action in 1969. At the ceremony, McCann’s wife and daughter were in attendance and were honored on his behalf.
“He was killed in action the day after Christmas in 1969,” Post 260 Commander Brian Willette said. “His Gold Star wife and daughter are here. Special honors will be given to him, and this is a ceremony that also honors South Hadley, Granby and Holyoke soldiers.”
Dozens of community members and veterans attended the ceremony.
Michigan
In Marquette, American Legion Post 44 honored Vietnam veterans with a ceremony that included displaying a flag carried by Marquette County Veterans Alliance Chair Jim Provost in Vietnam in 1966 and signed by his fellow Marines.
“Some of these marines died alongside me when we were serving,” said Provost, a life member of Post 44. “Some, I’m sure, died later. It’s a piece of me that won’t ever leave me.”
Past Post 44 Commander Raymond Carlson added that the event also served as a remembrance. “You don’t forget those things. You don’t forget the people you met, whether they were ours or even Vietnamese civilians,” he said. “Never forgotten the ones I got to know.
“It’s been over 50 years since any of us were there, so that’s way in our past, and we learned to have good memories since then in our associations with each other either through the Legion, the VVA, VFW or DAV.”
Missouri
In Hannibal, American Legion Post 55 hosted a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony that included a meal, guest speakers, and a pinning and welcome-home ceremony for 44 Vietnam War veterans.
North Carolina
In Fuquay-Varina, American Legion Post 116 honored all Vietnam veterans, with special recognition for those connected to Post 116 in Fuquay-Varina. Fuquay-Varina Mayor Bill Harris and Post 116 Commander Krista Abshure delivered remarks, while Post 116’s color guard presented a 21-gun salute and flag ceremony.
Post 116 also presented each Vietnam veteran in attendance with a special commemorative coin.
Ohio
In Gallipolis, a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony was organized by members of American Legion Post 27, Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 446 and Vietnam Veterans of America Chapter 709, with additional support from the Gallia County Veterans Service Commission. The ceremony included patriotic songs, a guest speaker and introducing the Vietnam veterans in attendance. Gallia County Prosecuting Attorney Jason Holdren was the guest speaker and talked about while Vietnam veterans were often not treated well when they returned home, he’s noticed that shifting in a positive way in recent years, especially locally.
The ceremony also included a remembrance of the “Gallia County Fallen Heroes of the Vietnam War”, a list of 12 local servicemembers who lost their lives between 1966 and 1972.
Pennsylvania
In Plum Borough, American Legion Post 980 provided a pancake and egg breakfast for Vietnam veterans. On Facebook, Post 980 said the breakfast was much more than just a meal. “What mattered most was the time spent together,” the post wrote. “It was an afternoon of stories, laughter and true camaraderie.”
Watch Facebook video of the event here.
Rhode Island
In Smithfield, Balfour-Cole Post 64 conducted a Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony that included history about the Vietnam War, the of laying flowers on the town's Vietnam War memorial, and a prayer for those who died, those still unaccounted for and those suffering from the effects of the war.
Tennessee
In Johnson City, Kings Mountain Post 24 conducted a National Vietnam War Veterans Day ceremony at the Johnson City/Washington County Veterans Memorial Park. The ceremony included laying a wreath at the park, as well as a recognition of prisoners of war and those missing in action from the war.
Virginia
· In Marion, American Legion Post 18 and its Sons of The American Legion squadron, along with the local Veterans of Foreign Wars post, honored Smyth County Vietnam veterans with Vietnam Veterans lapel pins and certificates.
· In Harrisburg, American Legion Shenandoah Valley Post 188 and Sons of The American Legion Squadron 188 attended a monument and flag dedication ceremony on Vietnam War Veterans Day at Rockingham County Circuit Courthouse. The monument lists 12 Rockingham County men who died in Vietnam in service to their country.
Washington
In Moses Lake, American Legion Post 209 teamed with the Karneetsa Chapter of the Daughters for a commemoration for Vietnam War veterans at the post. The event included guest speakers, refreshments, and the presenting of pins and certificates to the Vietnam veterans in attendance – some of whom shared their memories from the war.
“There were some terrible things I saw,” said Post 209 member David Gwinnett, whose U.S. Navy service included serving on a river patrol boat. “A lot of boys came out as men. My dad was in the Navy, his brother was in the Navy, his other brother was in the Navy, and it went through the family. I’m proud of what I did, and … I praise the Lord for all the members that did serve during the Vietnam War.”
- Honor & Remembrance