By CAROLINE COUNTRYMAN
Fort Riley Public Affairs
The 29th of March was National Vietnam War Veterans Day, a day to honor
all veterans of the conflict, including those who prisoners of war or
were reported missing in action.
According to the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration,
March 29 was chosen by the U.S. Military Assistance Command, Vietnam was
disestablished, and the day the last U.S. combat troops departed
Vietnam in 1973. The Vietnam War Commemoration was authorized by
Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense and launched by
President Barack Obama in 2012.
On this day, Americans celebrate individuals who, despite their personal
convictions or obligations to their families, enlisted in the military
and gave their lives in service to their country when it needed them
most. According to the Vietnam Veterans of America, Chapter 310, more
than 2.7 million Americans served in Vietnam.
The federal government committed to collaborating with local communities
and organizations to honor and remember the more than 58,000 patriots
who gave their lives in service to their country throughout a 13-year
period.
“Every service member of the Vietnam generation should know that their
sacrifices mattered and that their service made a difference,” said
Jermaine Wilson, General Manager, Fort Riley Army and Air Force Exchange
Service. “To the families, caregivers and survivors of the more than
58,000 service members whose names are memorialized in black granite, we
pledge to never forget the eternal sacrifice of your loved ones and
what you have sacrificed for the Nation. To the families of the over
1,500 service members who remain missing and unaccounted for, know that
our Nation's efforts to bring them home will never stop.”
March 29, 2023, Fort Riley Garrison Commander, Col. Michael Foote and
Garrison Command Sgt. Maj., Jason Poulin, paid tribute to local Vietnam
veterans who were attended a commemoration hosted at the Fort Riley Main
Exchange.
“I trust that all of us gathered here today already know that freedom
isn’t free,” Foote said. “It’s up to us to make sure that our nation
never forgets and never takes for granted the sacrifices of those who
have served this great country.”
The Vietnam veterans received tribute from the Fort Riley Garrison
Command Team, Fort Riley Exchange staff and local community members.
Each was given a lapel pin from staff of the Fort Riley Exchange.
Story and photos courtesy DVIDS