March 22, 2022
By: Dwayne Page
The DeKalb County Veterans Service Office and others are commemorating National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Tuesday, March 29.
“National Vietnam War Veterans Day is March 29 and in honor of those veterans that served, the DeKalb County Veterans Service Office (VSO), the Marine Corps League Detachment 1377 and the American Legion Post 122 invite you to stop by the VSO’s office on the first floor of the DeKalb County Courthouse from 8:30 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. that morning. Coffee and donuts will be provided. Stop by and visit and let us recognize and thank you for your service,” said Bill Rutherford, DeKalb County Veterans Service Officer.
National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a US holiday observed annually on March 29. It recognizes veterans who served in the US military during the Vietnam War.
March 29 was chosen as National Vietnam War Veterans Day because on March 29, 1973, Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MACV) was disbanded, and the last U.S. combat troops departed the Republic of Vietnam. The last unit was elements of MACV’s Infantry Security Force (Special Guard), actually special couriers.
On March 29, 2012, President Barack Obama proclaimed March 29, 2012, as Vietnam Veterans Day. The proclamation called “upon all Americans to observe this day with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that commemorate the 50-year anniversary of the Vietnam War.
On December 26, 2016, the Vietnam Veterans Day Coalition of States Council presented a letter to President Elect Donald Trump and Congressional leadership outlining the history and timeline of cause to establish March 29 as Vietnam War Veterans Day and requesting that it be one of the first legislations passed and signed into law during the 115 Congress.
On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. This act officially recognizes March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day. The Act also includes the day among those days on which the US flag should especially be displayed.