American Legion Family members nationwide remember Vietnam veterans during special events.
March 29 is set aside to honor Vietnam veterans – both living and deceased – for their service, as well as serving as an opportunity to welcome home those who survived the war.
And across the nation, members of the American Legion Family did just that. From hosting or organizing ceremonies and events that included a Medal of Honor recipient and a Hollywood icon, to providing free meals and a day of fellowship, the Legion Family made sure those veterans were both honored and welcomed.
The following are a few examples of how the Legion Family observed National Vietnam Veterans Day. Please share your similar events at legiontown.org.
California
In Turlock, American Legion Post 88 and the City of Turlock staged an event at the Turlock Public Safety Facility Parking Lot, providing yellow ribbons to those who wished to pay tribute to a Vietnam veteran.
The guest speaker was Post 88 Legionnaire Rick Kindle, a U.S. Navy veteran and United States Commemorative Partner. Since 2016, Kindle has provided ceremonies for Vietnam veterans in Turlock, Sonora, Pioneer, Stockon and Lodi, and has provided over 500 lapel pins to Vietnam vets.
Georgia
In Ogeechee, American Legion Post 90 teamed with Ogeechee Hospice and the Georgia Department of Veteran Affairs to conduct a welcome-home ceremony for Vietnam veterans. The event included emotional tributes and personal stories, aimed to provide long-overdue recognition for the sacrifices made by these veterans.
One of the guest speakers was Mi Waters, whose family immigrated to the United States from Vietnam in the mid-1970s. She shared the story of her father, a South Vietnamese Army veteran, and the challenges her family faced during and after the war. The event also included a pinning ceremony.
Florida
In Punta Gorda, Medal of Honor recipient Leroy Petry was a special guest at Post 103’s National Vietnam Veterans Day 50th Anniversary Program.
Illinois
· In Edwardsville, American Legion Post 199 hosted the inaugural Vietnam Veterans Breakfast, which drew a capacity crowd to the post. Included in the event was the presentation of Quilts of Valor to 38 local veterans – 30 Vietnam veterans and eight officers from the post – from Jan Copeland, the district and regional coordinator for Quilts of Valor. Vietnam veterans also received special lapel pins. “What makes this so special is that this year is the 50th anniversary of the end of the war, and we wanted to make sure they got the recognition they didn’t receive when they came home,” Post 199 Commander Doug Thompson said. “They were not treated properly with the respect that they deserved. I hope it’s all set straight now, but we want to make sure that we showed our appreciation as a post to our fellow veterans. As a post commander, I want to make sure I thank Ron Swaim because he’s the one that drove this event to becoming a reality.”
· In Peoria, American Legion Post 2 honored Vietnam veterans from Bartonville, Brimfield, Hanna City, Elmwood, and Peoria Heights and Peoria during a ceremony. The event also provided an opportunity for attendees to honor loved ones who never came home from the war. Post members read the names of 45 Peoria County soldiers who died in the war.
Maine
In Camden, American Legion Post 30 hosted it annual luncheon to recognize Vietnam veterans. Post Commander Dave Franclemont spoke about his tours in Vietnam; the floor also was opened to veterans who wished to speak.
Michigan
In Lansing, Legionnaires were at the Turner Dodge House to distribute lapel pins and thank Vietnam veterans during the National Vietnam War Veterans Day event.
“We were met by protestors that ran us down about our time in the service,” 8th District Commander Gene Nethaway said during the event. “From this proud United States Army veteran, I thank you and God bless all for the sacrifice you gave.”
Minnesota
In Forest Lake, Hollywood icon and former USO performer Ann Margaret was the special guest at American Legion Post 225’s sold-out annual Vietnam Veterans Day celebration. Margaret did two USO tours in Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War. Retired WCCO television host Don Shelby was the emcee and shared his own stories about being stationed at the Pentagon with the Air Force during the Vietnam War.
The event also included the presence of County Veteran Service Officer Ryan Carufel, who provided an outreach program.
Because the program sold out, it also was live streamed. Watch the entire program here.
Missouri
In Hannibal, American Legion Post 55 staged a Vietnam Veterans Day dinner that included guest speakers from the Great River Honor Flight, as well as retired Major Jim Miller, who earned a Purple Heart during his two tours in Vietnam.
New Jersey
· In Barnegat, Department of New Jersey leadership attended the Thanking Vietnam Veterans in Barnegat annual event that honors Vietnam veterans. The ceremony included live musical performances, three high school ROTC units, Seton Hall University’s color guard, and a variety of guest speakers that included former U.S. Navy Commander Hugh Doyle, who served as chief engineer on the USS Kirk – one of the ships that took part in the Vietnam evacuation efforts via Operation Frequent Wind. Attending from the Legion were New Jersey National Executive Committeeman Berley Hanna Jr., Department Commander Andy Jackson, Barnegat Post 232 Commander Steve Furrule, Department Vice Commander Hector Quinones, Past Department Vice Commander Brian Hagal and Alternate Executive Committeeman Gene O’Grady. Legionnaires manned a table that included Be the One messaging.
· In Park Ridge, Cpl. Jedh C. Barker American Legion Post 153 conducted a recognition ceremony to commemorate National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The event was attended by the post’s American Legion Family and community members.
New York
In Groton, Carrington-Fuller Post 800 conducted a wreath-laying ceremony at the Terrence Graves Medal of Honor Memorial. The ceremony included recognition of visiting dignitaries, a short keynote speech and military honors.
Following the ceremony the public was invited to Post 800 for refreshments and an open house display of various memorabilia from the war.
North Carolina
· In Carteret County, two Vietnam War memorials were dedicated at local cemeteries. Each was constructed for $1,000 and paid for by American Legion Post 99. The monuments list the name of every community member who served during the war. “Those little, teeny communities of Sea Level, you’re talking a community that had less than 100 people, and they sent 14 people to war. Atlantic was smaller, and they sent 12 people to war,” American Legion Post 99 Commander John Owens said. “A lot of the Vietnam veterans came home, they were spit on, they were called baby killers. They weren’t recognized for their sacrifice they did.”
· In King, American Legion Post 290 conducted a ceremony in recognition of National Vietnam War Veterans Day that included music performed by West Stokes High School band members, an invocation by Post 290 Chaplain John Winfrey, and remarks by City of King Mayor Rick McCraw, Mayor Pro Tempore Jane Cole and other speakers. "The Vietnam War was a long, difficult chapter for our nation's history," Post 290 Commander Ed Ballard said. "It was a time of mixed challenges, profound losses, enduring questions. It was also a time of courage, resilience and unwavering dedication for those who answered the call of duty. Today, we offer our deepest gratitude to everyone, every Vietnam veteran and those who served in uniform, and to their families for their courage and their unwavering support. We also remember those who returned with visible and invisible wounds. May we never forget the courage and commitment, what those who served went through."
Ohio
· In Adena, American Legion Post 525 spearheaded the annual National Vietnam Veterans Day event that included remarks from Mayor Brenda Roski and Roger Sliva, chairman of Adena American Legion Post 525’s Vietnam War Commemorative Partner Program Committee. Silva presented around 30 pins to Vietnam veterans during the event. “All were called to serve and none could self-determine where they would serve,” Silva said. “We appreciate you. We salute you for your service. Welcome home.”
· In Gallipolis, American Legion Post 27 teamed with Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars for a service that included honoring Gallia County veterans who sacrificed their lives during the war.
· In Wickliffe, American Legion Post 7 led a flag retirement ceremony in honor of Vietnam War veterans.
Oregon
In Independence, American Legion Post 33 held a Vietnam Veterans Day ceremony that began at the Independence Vietnam Memorial corner before moving to the Independence Heritage Museum for cake and conversation.
Pennsylvania
· In Quakertown, Wallace Willard Keller American Legion Post 242 hosted a Vietnam Veterans Appreciation Day that included a buffet, music and camaraderie. The event was open to all Vietnam veterans.
· In Baden, American Legion Post 641 honored Vietnam veterans with free food and drinks during its event. The day also included sharing memories about the Vietnam War.
South Carolina
In Clinton, Copeland-Davidson American Legion Post 56 hosted its first Vietnam Veterans Day biscuits and gravy breakfast at Geraldine’s Soup Kitchen. Stories about the war were shared, and members of the community were invited to attend to honor the veterans present.
Virginia
In Smithfield, Smithfield Dashiell-Barlow American Legion Post 49 hosted a Vietnam veteran recognition dinner that honored 28 veterans and their families. Entertainment was provided by the Smithfield High School Chorus, while State Sen. Emily Jordan thanked the veterans for their service and assisted Post Chaplain Charlie More with presenting service lapel pins to 12 veterans.
Wisconsin
In Onalaska, the La Crosse County Council of The American Legion hosted a Vietnam Veterans Welcome Home ceremony at Struck-Klandrud American Legion Post 336. The program featured keynote speakers who reflected on the service of Vietnam veterans, as well as time for veterans to share their memories of their service.
"The perils that they faced and the environment they faced was challenging enough to not have to come back to political discourse in the country and to hold on to those wounds for so long,” La Crosse County Council of the American Legion Commander Brad Heller said. “It’s in some small way righting a wrong.”
Wyoming
In Rock Springs, Archie Hary Post 24 commemorated Vietnam War Veterans Day with an event that included ice cream, cake and a chance for veterans of the war to gather together.
“I will never get tired of people thanking me and I’ll never get tired of hearing people thanking my brothers for their service,” Post 24 Legionnaire Tim Hemphill said. “I tell my brothers ‘Thank you for your service. Welcome home.’”
- Honor & Remembrance