The final U.S. combat troops left Vietnam on March 29, 1973 and the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was officially disestablished. Suitably, the designation of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29 began in 2017 when President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.
Prior to the Recognition Act of 2017, in 2012 the U.S. began a 13-year commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The intention of this commemoration is to continually express gratitude for the immeasurable sacrifices these veterans made. This commemoration continues through Veterans Day, November 11, 2025.
Honoring Vietnam War Veterans
Words of acknowledgement, compassion, and gratitude are great ways to express appreciation towards Vietnam veterans. Simply saying “welcome home” is a powerfully meaningful expression for a veteran who served in the Vietnam War. Due to a number of circumstances surrounding the Vietnam War, many servicemen and women did not received warm greetings after returning to the U.S. In fact, upon arriving home, animosity was the more common expression from civilians towards service members.
Approximately 9 million Americans became veterans during the 20 years the Vietnam War lasted. Today, approximately 6 million Vietnam War era veterans are still with us. As the commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War continues, Americans should seek opportunities to thank those who served during the Vietnam War.
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Info Sources: NationalToday.com, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, and The White House
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