National Vietnam War Veterans Day - March 29th
National Vietnam War Veterans Day 2020
The Secretary of Defense was authorized by law in 2008 to conduct a commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The inaugural event occurred at the Wall on Memorial Day, 2012. Yes, history makes crystal clear the importance of this Commemoration. Vietnam was a long war, and accordingly a long commemoration period has been planned. By presidential proclamation, the Commemoration extends from Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.
Through this Commemoration, we intend to offer the thanks of our nation to as many as possible of the 7.2 million living Vietnam Veterans and the 9 million families of those who served from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.
These inclusive dates have been selected for this Commemoration in order to maximize the recognition of United States military Veterans who served on active duty during the Vietnam War period. No distinction is being made between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority served honorably and admirably. Our military served in Vietnam under six different presidents. President Truman authorized the first U.S. advisors to serve with the French, and President Ford was in office at the conclusion.
58,307 names appear on the Wall in Washington, D.C. Their average age is 23.1 years old. Many tens of thousands were disabled. Approximately 7,500 women, the majority of whom were nurses, served in Vietnam; 8 were killed in theater, all of whom were nurses. And, 1,627 are still considered missing in action and their families await word of their fate.
These facts provide us some context and understanding of the true cost of war. It is not measured in dollars and cents, but in lives . . . neighbors, friends and family who come home with seen and unseen scars that need mending and extensive care, or do not come home at all.
These facts also are best understood by those who served … and their families. Some continued to serve in uniform, while many returned to civilian life, started families and immediately began contributing to their communities. Some took up service as police officers, teachers, doctors and nurses. From town halls and boardrooms to the nation’s capital, others became leaders and elected public servants.
Vietnam Veterans also mentored those that followed them in uniform and built the foundations of today’s military. Their experience and leadership led to successes in Panama, Desert Storm, Bosnia, Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom. These leaders established strategies, tactics and standards that would ensure success. The impact they and other Vietnam Veterans from every Service had on our current military and its leaders was significant.
As World War II and the Korean War reached their 50th anniversary, our nation commemorated our warriors’ service and sacrifice. Now, authorized by Congress and the President, and on behalf of the nation, we have the opportunity to do what should have been done 50 years ago: welcome our Vietnam Veterans home with honor, and thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice.
VA and U.S. Census Bureau numbers indicate that the 7.2 million Vietnam Veterans equal 1 in every 44 Americans; that’s all men, women and children. When you consider just those 65 years and older, that number becomes 1 in every 8 Americans, and when you consider just men that age, it’s 1 in every 3!
Thank you Vietnam Veterans and Welcome Home!
DAVID ISAACKS, FACHE