MESSAGE FROM THE SECRETARY
VA Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War
In 2017, President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act designating March 29 of each year as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. Our Nation’s Vietnam War Commemoration is an opportunity for all Americans to recognize, honor, and thank our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice during one of the longest wars in our country’s history.
As a commemorative partner, VA joins nearly 10,000 organizations across the Nation supporting the Department of Defense in this mission to honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans. I encourage all VA leaders to either host ceremonies or participate in community events during the period March 25 – 29, 2018, to express our tremendous gratitude to this generation of warriors and their families.
The commemoration recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the United States’ involvement in Vietnam—November 1, 1955 – May 7, 1975. Nine million Americans, approximately 7.2 million living today, served during that period. The commemoration makes no distinction between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. All answered the call to duty.
Please visit www.vietnamwar50th.com to learn how your organization or facility can become a commemorative partner and participate in this commemoration. VA currently sustains more than 400 commemorative partnerships, and I am so proud of their contributions to honor and thank our Vietnam Veterans. Importantly, a partnership provides historical media and the ability to request beautifully struck lapel pins and other recognition items for presentation to Vietnam Veterans.
Thank you for your continued service to VA and America’s Veterans.
David J. Shulkin, M.D.