March 29 is set aside to honor those who served and those lost during the Vietnam War.
March 29 is set aside as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and provides an opportunity to pay special tribute to the 9 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era, to the 58,000 names memorialized on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and to those who never received the recognition they deserved when they returned to America from war.
The date references the day in 1973 when 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.
Across the country, American Legion posts will either host or take part in Vietnam War Veterans Day events, inviting veterans of the war to their facilities to honor, thank and welcome them home.
If your post or American Legion Family members are commemorating Vietnam War Veterans Day, please share your stories and photos at www.legiontown.org.
The following are a few events scheduled across the nation.
California
In Redondo Beach, South Bay Post 184 is conducting its first Vietnam War Veterans Day BBQ on March 29. The full Legion Family will provide a meal that will include hamburgers, hot dogs and hot links; the public is invited and is encouraged to bring side dishes and other foods to add to the event.
The day also will include live music, as well as Redondo Union High School ROTC presenting the colors.
Florida
In Sebastian, American Legion Post 189 will host a community pancake breakfast on March 29 to honor Vietnam War Veterans Day. Sons of The American Legion Squadron 189 is providing the breakfast to any Vietnam veterans who attend and is asking them to sign a welcome home banner.
Georgia
In Brunswick, American Legion Posts 9 and 507 are teaming with Hospice of Golden Isles to host a Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Celebration on April 2. In addition to serving finger foods, the event will include a POW/MIA Remembrance Ceremony and a screening of a Vietnam veteran documentary.
Illinois
In Edwardsville, American Legion Post 199 is honoring Vietnam veterans with a free breakfast on March 28. A similar breakfast last year had more than 100 attendees.
“We want all veterans to be recognized for their service and the sacrifices they did for this country,” said Past Post 199 Commander Ron Swaim.
The post is requesting guests register ahead of time, and the first 20 Vietnam veterans who register will receive a Quilt of Valor if they have not already received one.
Along with breakfast, retired Maj. Gen. Bill Enyart will be the guest speaker. Enyart served in both the U.S. Air Force and the Army National Guard and also represented Illinois' 12th Congressional District from 2013 to 2015, serving on the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee. He is now a contributor for networks that include NewsNation and CNN.
Maine
In Camden, American Legion Post 30 is honoring Vietnam veterans with a luncheon on March 29. Vietnam veterans eat free and can bring one guest.
"Post 30 encourages all (Vietnam) veterans to attend whether they served in country or in support roles to connect with their brothers and sisters," Maine American Legion District 6 Commander Jeff Sukeforth said via a news release. “This event is a chance for those who served to come together and perhaps receive some of the comradery they may have been missing for many years.”
Minnesota
In St. Peter, American Legion Auxiliary Unit 37 will provide a meal at the post following a Vietnam veterans program at the St. Peter Community Center.
Missouri
In Hannibal, American Legion Post 55 will host its third annual dinner honoring Vietnam veterans on March 28. The event will include a special pinning ceremony for Vietnam veterans.
New York
In Norwich, Post 189’s American Legion Family and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 2789 will honor Vietnam veterans by hosting morning coffee and pastries, and a soup and sandwich lunch at Post 189.
The day also will include a screening of “Truths and Myths of the Vietnam War”, a documentary film produced by a group of Atlanta veterans that also was shown at the 2025 American Legion National Convention. Veterans who attend will be encouraged to share their experiences and thoughts with each other and community members who would like to learn first-hand about the Vietnam War.
Members of both Post 189 and VFW Post 2789 also will be available to answer questions and provide information about services available to area veterans.
North Dakota
In Gackle, Mayer-Morlock Post 250, Melvin E. Bender Post 265, Clifford Ost Post 260 and Robert Kurtz Post 57 hosted Vietnam Veterans Day and 107th American Legion birthday celebrations on March 21 at Post 250. North Dakota American Legion Auxiliary Department President Candace Berg was the guest speaker.
Unit 250 provided sandwiches, coffee and cake.
Ohio
In Salineville, American Legion Post 442 is hosting a free dinner for area Vietnam veterans and their spouses on March 28. Unit 442 will prepare the dinner, which will include chicken, mashed potatoes, a vegetable, dessert and a drink.
- Honor & Remembrance