National Vietnam War Veterans Day, March 29
A proclamation was made March 29, 2012, by President Barack Obama, declaring that very day, March 29, 2012, will be “Vietnam Veterans Day.” He called on “all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies and activities that commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War.” Legislation was not passed to add Vietnam Veterans Day to our calendar.
According to the proclamation, the “50 years” pertains to the beginning of the conflict in January 1962, when the United States Army participated in Operation Chopper, America’s first combat mission against the Viet Cong.
A few months later, authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by President Barack Obama’s proclamation May 25, 2012, the United States Vietnam War Commemoration recognized all men and women who served on active duty in the Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975, known as the “Vietnam War Period.”
Nov. 1, 1955, was selected to coincide with the official designation of the Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V); May 15, 1975, marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.
In 2014, the U.S. Department of Defense created a Commemorative Partner Program to pay tribute to those who served during the Vietnam War period (1955-1975) and their families. The program makes no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. All answered the call to serve, and none could self-determine where they served or what duty they would have. The program asked partners to conduct events for three years, 2014-2016.
The Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) answered the call immediately. The DAR is one Commemorative Partner in this program of more than 11,000 organizations and may be the only Commemorative Partner in North Idaho. DAR is the largest Commemorative Partner, with approximately 3,000 chapters in all fifty states and some foreign countries, and almost 200,000 members.
One mission of the program is to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring its Vietnam War veterans and their families, the fallen, the wounded, those who were held as prisoners of war, those listed as missing and unaccounted for, the home front, federal agencies, all organizations that served or supported the armed forces, and our allies.
What happens next? There was no announcement that the program would continue. Do we just forget about these veterans? Do we just celebrate them as an apology for how poorly they were treated when they returned home, and forget about them?
On March 28, 2017, President Donald Trump signed the National Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, establishing the National Vietnam War Veterans Day that will, henceforth, be celebrated March 29 every year, and the U.S. flag is to be flown March 29 every year. Commemorations will continue through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025, 50 years after the end of the Vietnam War Period (1955-1975).
March 29 was a fitting choice for a day honoring Vietnam veterans. It was chosen to be observed in perpetuity, as March 29, 1973, was the day the United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam, was disestablished and the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam.
In his presidential proclamation, President Trump stated: “During this Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, we embrace our responsibility to help our Vietnam veterans and their families heal from the heavy toll of war. We remember the more than 58,000 whose names are memorialized on a black granite wall in our nation’s capital for having borne the heaviest cost of war.”
President Donald Trump made an additional proclamation:
“Throughout this Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and every March 29 thereafter, we will honor all those who answered our Nation’s call to duty. We vow to never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. With conviction, our Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans.”
So, a Commemorative Program that was started to last for three years became a program that will last through Veterans Day, Nov. 11, 2025. This Commemorative Partner Program is the only one that commemorates any period of war in our history. Our Commemoration today, March 29, 2025, is the last one on National Vietnam War Veterans Day under the guidance of the U.S. Department of Defense’s Commemorative Partner Program.
However, March 29, is forever on our calendar to celebrate our Vietnam War veterans, and we may do so as we wish.
During a commemorative event, a specially designed thank you lapel pin is presented to each Vietnam War veteran. This lapel pin is beautifully struck and features:
• An eagle’s head, representing courage, honor and dedicated service;
• Stripes, representing our nation’s flag;
• Six stars, representing the allies who served, sacrificed and fought alongside one another;
• And a laurel wreath, representing victory, integrity and strength;
• All encircled by a ring of blue, matching the canton of our national flag and signifying vigilance, perseverance and justice.
The phrase, “A Grateful Nation Thanks and Honors You,” is embossed on the back of the pin, along with the commemoration’s name.
Vietnam War veterans who have not yet received their thank you lapel pin are welcome to contact Barb Nelson, Daughters of the American Revolution, IdahoBarb208@gmail.com.
For more information, go to: www.vietnamwar50th.com.
God bless you, and God bless the United States of America.
