Vietnam War Veterans Day 2023 Events
Vietnam War Veterans Day is on March 29. To pay homage to our veterans, we have curated this listing of events, memorials, and online exhibits that honor those who served in Vietnam.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day at The Wall
March 29, 2022 | 9:45-10:15 a.m.
There will be a wreath-laying at The Wall organized through the Pentagon’s Office of Commemorations. Wreath layers include several of the senior enlisted advisors for the military services. The Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force will stick around to do some rubbings and visit the Vietnam Women’s Memorial.
March 29, 2022 | 12:00 noon
A ceremony on the East Knoll will be co-hosted by VVMF and the VVA Chapters from the DC area. They will do storytelling, and we do plan to webcast the event through our Facebook page.
March 29, 2022 | 1:00 p.m. and 3:50 p.m.
Air Force senior leaders are expected to arrive to do name rubbings. One is our own MG Bannister, representing AF Health Services. The Wall WILL NOT be closed or otherwise affect visitors while these senior Air Force leaders do their rubbings.
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In Memory Program
VVMF’s In Memory program honors those who returned home from Vietnam and later died. To have a loved one considered for the In Memory program in 2023, you must submit your application to VVMF by March 29, 2023. https://www.vvmf.org/In-Memory-Program/
Vietnam War Commemoration
Offers a huge variety of information, history, resource materials, and event listings. A must visit site for Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Visit: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/about/national_vietnam_war_veterans_day/
United War Veterans Council
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Due to weather, many planned activities have location changes, or have been cancelled. Please visit the website for updates!
https://uwvc.org/2023-vietnam-veterans-day/
Kent County Vietnam Veterans Ceremony: VVA Chapter 850, Dover, Delaware
March 29, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
Location change due to weather
Due to the predicted precipitation from drizzle to heavy rain on Saturday, March 25, at 2 p.m., the location of the Kent County Chapter 850 Vietnam Veterans Day has been moved several hundred feet to the County Administration Building at 555 Bay Road, Dover. The Memorial site at South Little Creek Road, Dover, is on the north side of the administration building.
The county building has a wonderful public gathering room on the second floor. It seats about 250 people with an additional overflow room connected with video and a state-of-the-art public address system. The program for the event is attached.
Immediately after the formal part of the event, a fully-trained military service dog Sabre will be presented to a disabled veteran by the Chapter’s CASH (Canines Assisting Service Heroes) program. The program provides United States Armed Forces veterans who have been diagnosed with Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder, (PTSD); Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI); or Military Sexual Trauma (MST), with a service dog trained by Riedel K-9. Visit www.k9ash.org for more information. It will be the chapter’s 14th dog.
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans 2023: Camp Verde, AZ
March 29 – April 2, 2023
Recognizing “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” is a gesture of acceptance, gratitude and honor to the members of our community who risked their lives to serve our country during the Vietnam War – this includes the Veterans and their families. This event will honor all veterans. Local veterans will have the opportunity to be welcomed home, and celebrated and honored for their service.
This year, the event will feature the Traveling Vietnam Wall and Cost of Freedom Tribute to honor, respect and remember those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice. The wall will be on display at the community center in downtown Camp Verde from March 29-April 2, 2023.
Please join us as we honor veterans from the Vietnam War during this healing event. Veterans from other wars, organizations both public and private, schools, as well as parents, spouses, children and friends of Vietnam Veterans are also invited to come out and be together during this day.
Schedule (subject to change):
- March 28: AVTT Vietnam Replica Wall escorted to Camp Verde by the Patriot Guard Riders
- March 29: Official Opening Ceremony, Pinning Ceremony for Vietnam Veterans at Redinger Ramada
- March 31: Native American Veteran Recognition Day beginning at 10 a.m.
- April 1: Verde Valley Honor Ride – begins in Sedona, traverses throughout the Verde Valley and ends at Fort Verde State Historic Park
- April 1: 1 p.m. Grand Opening & Welcome Ceremony Redinger Ramada
- April 2: Closing Ceremony at 3 p.m. at the Community Center Field
https://azstateparks.com/fort-verde/events/welcome-home-vietnam-veterans
Operation: Homecoming 2023: Merced County, CA
March 29, 2023 | 12:00 p.m. – 2:00 p.m.
Central California Veterans Organization will be hosting the National Vietnam War Veterans Day with Operation Homecoming 2023 on Wednesday, March 29, 2023 at the Veterans Park Pavilion in Atwater.
Recognizing Vietnam Veterans service to country, all branches of the Armed Forces are welcome.
This event is FREE, a luncheon, dedication, posting of the colors and much more will take place.
All donations are tax-deductible and if you would like you to become a sponsors, volunteer or make a donation, contact Samuel Estrada, MCCV Member & Event Chairperson.
Nebraska Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony: Lincoln, NE
March 29, 2023 | 2:00 p.m.
When: Wednesday, March 29, 2023, 2:00 p.m. CT
Where: Nebraska State Capitol
1445 K Street, Lincoln, NE
Hearing Room 1525
Watch the ceremony online on Nebraska Public Media’s website.
Vietnam War Era Veterans and their families are invited to join Governor Jim Pillen, NDVA Director John Hilgert, and Nebraska National Guard Adjutant General Major General Daryl Bohac for a National Vietnam War Veterans Day Proclamation Ceremony and Lapel Pin Presentation. Vietnam War Era Veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, and who have not yet already received one, are eligible to receive a lapel pin.
https://veterans.nebraska.gov/events/national-vietnam-war-veterans-day-ceremony
Michigan Veterans Affairs Agency Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremony: Ann Arbor, MI
March 29, 2023 | 9:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
https://www.michigan.gov/mvaa/events/2023/03/29/vietnam-war-veterans-day
Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum: Mount Pleasant, SC
March 29, 2023
On Vietnam Veterans Day, Wednesday, March 29, Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum will offer free admission for Vietnam Veterans and their immediate families. Museum staff will also welcome each veteran home throughout the day by pinning them with a Department of Defense Vietnam War Veteran lapel pin.
At 11 a.m. Patriots Point will host a memorial ceremony inside the Vietnam Experience Exhibit to honor the 896 South Carolinians who did not survive the war.
https://www.patriotspoint.org/news-and-events/event/vietnam-war-veterans-day-2/
Orlando VA: Orlando, FL
March 29, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.
The Orlando VA Healthcare System (OVAHCS) along with Vietnam Unforgettable Memories Foundation, CFVMPF, and the Orange County Mayors Office will hold an event to honor Vietnam era Veterans in Central Florida at Memorial Park located at the Orlando VA Medical Center, in Lake Nona, Orlando, Fla.
Everyone is welcome to attend, and all Vietnam era Veterans present will be pinned. Additionally, the local Patriot Guard Riders chapter will sponsor the Traveling Vietnam War Wall (a replica of the original wall where visitors can look for their loved one’s name who served during the Vietnam War era). The Traveling Vietnam War Wall will be located in the lobby of the Orlando VA Medical Center from Sunday, March 26 – Friday, March 31.
Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremonial Wreath Laying: Fairfax, VA
March 29, 2023 | 11:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Historic Fairfax Courthouse: 4000 Chain Bridge Road, Fairfax, Virginia 22030
The Fairfax County Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) will sponsor a wreath laying ceremony to remember Fairfax County residents who fell in Vietnam, and honor all Vietnam veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces, and their families.
All are welcome and invited to participate in this commemoration event.
https://www.fairfaxva.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/18913/
Vietnam War Veterans Day Event: Vancouver, WA
March 29, 2023 | 11:00 a.m.
A press conference will be held on March 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Clark College, PUB 161, 1933 Fort Vancouver Way, Vancouver, WA 98663, to honor the voices of those advocating for support and answers to these remaining troubles from the American War in Vietnam. This event is sponsored by the Community Military Appreciation Committee (CMAC).
Speakers will include:
• Mike Burton – Mike was in a Special Operations unit during the war whose primary mission was to provide air support for the Laotian guerilla forces. He saw the destruction both from the air and on the ground. He was responsible for keeping the mission secret at the time and for years following, though he knew the US had violated the Geneva Accords of 1962. Mike now serves as Board Chair of Legacies of War, which advocates for removing unexploded ordinances in Southeast Asia. He will also discuss SB 3795 and provisions of the PACT Act which will take some steps towards rectifying the damages of the war.
• Heather Atherton – Board Member of Legacies of War and advocate for Vietnam War POW/MIA families. She will share the controversial story of a crash in her father’s TEWS intelligence squadron over Laos in 1973 which happened in the two weeks between the signing of the Paris Peace Accords and the return of the POWs. Many MIA cases remain unsolved 50 years later, including Baron 52.
• Don Super – whose primary duty was what he came to call “target acquisition,” provided the U.S. Air Force and the CIA “Secret War” with coordinates for daily bombing missions in Laos. Upon returning to the U.S., He struggled for decades with the guilt and shame that haunted him concerning his participation in the “Secret War” and its devastating effects on the Lao people.
• Paul Dinh Tran – a Vietnam native who was only 10 years old when Saigon fell. His family escaped by boat only to be captured and returned to a refugee camp until they could move to the U.S. he then graduated from the University of Washington and was commissioned in the US Army.
• Larry Smith – Operated from Kontum province in Vietnam and ran special Montayard recon operations across the border.
• Patrick Locke – Awarded three Purple Hearts from two tours in Vietnam he remains angry over the lack of strategy to win the war and his treatment upon returning to the US.
• Lee Po Cha – Executive Director of Portland’s Immigrant and Refugee Community Organization (IRCO). Established in 1976, IRCO is an organization that serves immigrants and refugees from all over the world, Mr. Cha was a former Hmong refugee from the country of Laos, his family fled political persecution and came to Oregon in 1978 after the United States withdrew from Vietnam.
Following the event, we will adjourn to the campus at noon and plant or dedicate an existing tree to all Vietnam Vets. Colonel Larry Smith, USA retired (Operated from Kontum province in Vietnam and ran special Montagnard recon operations across the border, Silver Star awardee) will Emcee the dedication. The tree is a magnificent Turkish Black Fir on the campus, and its dedication as a Witness Tree will be done by Vancouver Mayor Anne McEnerny-Ogle and Clark College President, Karin Edwards.
All Vietnam Veterans who attend the dedication will be offered a Vietnam Veteran lapel pin.
Vietnam War Veterans Day Ceremonial Wreath Laying: Dover, DE
March 31, 2023 | 12:00 noon
Kent County’s Veterans Memorial Park on South Little Creek Rd., Dover, will be a stop on the Honor Walk 2023 of former Marine Danny Garcia and his wife Jackie, a retired Air Force Lt. Col.
His visit to Dover is at the invitation of Paul Davis, president of the Delaware State Council, Vietnam Veterans of America, and vice-president of Kent County Chapter 850. Mr. Garcia and his wife coauthored the 2022 book “Marines Don’t Cry,” which is available on Amazon. They will visit the memorial park on their way to Raleigh and Fayette, N.C. on April 1 & 2, on their way back to their home in Florida. Their stops are included in the attached flyer. Their presentation will be in support of Delaware’s first responders, including military, police, firefighters, medical specialists and their families.
This event is free and open to the public.