March 29th is National Vietnam Veterans Day. This holiday was first celebrated in 2017 when President Donald Trump signed The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act. Every March 29th is now known as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Origins of National Vietnam War Veterans Day
The Vietnam War began in 1955 and lasted until 1973. It is the second-longest war, aside from the ongoing Afghanistan War. Over 2.7 million Americans served during this war.
On March 29, 1973, the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam to come home. However, the war continued to impact the troops who served and their families. When the troops arrived in the U.S. they were not honored due to the number of deaths that occurred during the war.
In 2007, Congress incorporated language in House of Representative (H.R.) 4986 authorizing the secretary of defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War. President George W. Bush signed H.R. 4986 into law on January 28, 2008.
President Barack Obama inaugurated this Commemoration at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day, May, 28, 2012.
Signing of The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act
In 2017, U.S. Senators Pat Toomey, R-Pa., and Joe Donnelly, D-Ind., introduced legislation that proposed the anniversary of the withdrawal of the military units from South Vietnam as the date for National Vietnam War Veterans Day. They understood it wasn’t the soldiers’ choices to go to war. On March 28, 2017 President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act. March 29 of every year is now Vietnam War Veterans Day.
How to Celebrate
There are several ways you can celebrate this holiday. You can donate money to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund. Talk to family members who may have been a part of the Vietnam War. Thank a Vietnam veteran for their service. Post service pictures on the Vietnam Veterans of America Facebook page in order to honor the service and sacrifice veterans made. No matter the way you celebrate, remember to honor those who have served.
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Sources: Vietnam War Commemoration, National Today, Military Benefits
Image Source: WITN.com
