March 29 - National Vietnam Veterans Day

Happy National Vietnam Veterans Day! On March 29, this day honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history. 

On March 29, 1973, the last combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam. Generations later, Veterans of this time period are gaining the respect that was not so freely given upon their return. 

Involving five U.S. presidents, crossing nearly two decades and 500,000 U.S.military personnel, it left an indelible mark on the American psyche. 

Returning veterans did not always receive respectful welcomes upon their arrival on American soil. Over 58,000 killed, never to return.  

The observance recognizes the military service of these men and women who answered the call to serve their country when she needed them. They didn’t make the decisions to go to war. 

Throughout the observance, we recognize the service and duty rendered by all servicemen and women of this era. 

HOW TO OBSERVE 

Around the country, commemorative events, speeches, and luncheons are being held inviting Vietnam Veterans as honored guests. Other ways to participate include: 

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  • Thank a Vietnam Veteran.  
• • Buy them a drink or lunch.  
• • Visit a local memorial. Volunteer to help organize events.  
• • Support a veteran’s organization in your community. Volunteer and offer your skills. 
• • Watch a Vietnam War documentary such as The Vietnam War: A Film by Ken Burns and Lynn Novick or Last Days in Vietnam directed by Rory Kennedy or Vietnam Nurses by Timeline. 
• • Read about the Vietnam War in books like Vietnam – A History by Stanley Karnow or They Marched into Sunlight: War and Peace, Vietnam and America, October 1967 by David Maraniss or The Quiet American by Graham Green and Robert Stone. 

Send them a shout out using #VietnamWarVeteransDay on social media. 

HISTORY 

On March 26, 1982, construction began on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial. This 2-acre U.S. national memorial is located Washington, D.C., and honors service members of the U.S. armed forces who fought in the Vietnam Wa. 

It also honors the service members who died in service in Vietnam/South East Asia, as well as those service members who were unaccounted for during the war. 

U.S. Sens. Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., introduced legislation in 2017 to honor Vietnam Veterans with a day on the anniversary of the withdrawal of military units from South Vietnam.  

On March 28, 2017, 45th U.S. President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Day Act, calling for U.S. flags to be flown on March 29 for those who served. 

Thank you for you service. 

#VietnamWatVeteransDay 

@VVMF 

@nichecinema