National Vietnam War Veterans Day

In 2017 S.305 – Vietnam War Veteran Recognition Act was signed into law by U.S. President Donald J. Trump, our 45th, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The choosing of March 29 is a fitting and significant choice for honoring Vietnam Veterans. Why is it significant you might ask? Well, let me tell you.

The date March 29 was chosen to be observe in perpetuity as March 29, 1973 was the day United States Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was disestablished and also the day the last U.S. combat troops departed Vietnam. Additionally, it was on or around this same day Hanoi released the last of its acknowledged prisoners of war.

The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration honors all veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975.

It is estimated by The Department of Veterans Affairs, that there are more than 7 million U.S. Vietnam veterans living in America and abroad, along with 10 million families of those who served during this timeframe.

The national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President to thank and honor our Nation’s Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. It is of my opinion that this recognition and commemoration was long overdue. Vietnam Veterans were not given any kind of welcome home by the hometowns, their country or thanked for their service by anyone other than their families for generations.

The National Vietnam War Veterans Day is special to my family and myself for a significant reason. My husband, Terry Leon Wilson, and father of my children served in Vietnam during the Vietnam War. He served as a heavy-duty truck driver. He enlisted into the U.S. Army on April 27, 1972, and served on active duty until April 30, 1975, upon which he went into the reserves. He earned the National Defense Service Medal and the rank of SP4 while on active duty.

I wish I had pictures of my husband and veteran in uniform. We met afterwards and he never talked about his time he served in Vietnam other than the fact he was there during the conflict.