Our nation is currently commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War, a long overdue opportunity to honor our 7.2 million living Vietnam Veterans and the 9 million families of those of us who served from November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. The Department of Veterans Affairs and more than 9,000 local, state and national organizations have joined the Department of Defense as Commemorative Partners in this important commemoration.

For us, this partnership holds special significance in light of our mission to serve those who “shall have borne the battle,” their families and their survivors. Embracing our Vietnam Veterans and their families is in keeping with the intent and spirit of our MyVA transformation, focusing on our customers and improving their experience with the VA.

Please take advantage of the opportunity this commemoration presents to express your gratitude for the service and sacrifice of this generation of American Servicemembers. Thank a Vietnam Veteran and welcome them home!


Editor’s note:  On March 29, the Vietnam War 50th Commemoration Committee is honoring Vietnam Veterans with events at the Wall in Washington, D.C., and throughout the country.  Check with your local VA facility for the schedule of events near you.  

 

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17 Comments

  1. Valerio Dobrich March 29, 2016 at 21:05

    I was wondering if there was any ceremony in Charlotte NC.

  2. Upset VA Employee March 29, 2016 at 20:36

    The Seattle VARO did it’s very best not to honor their Vietnam Era Veterans March 29th. Not surprising as none of the executive managers are veterans. Quite a few disappointed VA employees.

  3. thomas gomez sr March 27, 2016 at 12:34

    WELCOME HOME.. MY BROTHERS..

  4. Loren Bortree March 26, 2016 at 22:49

    No one recognizes nor is aware of the many service men that created six air bases in Thailand and are also affected by AgentOrange, PTSD, diabetes and other illnesses from serving in Thailand. Even though we were also awarded the Vietnam medal for serving in Thailand the VA, our Congress and the administration don’t recognize those illnesses nor will they provide any VA benefits for them.
    Just like the Veterans of Korea, the Veterans that served in Thailand to support those in Vietnam and the missions to North and South Vietnam are also forgotten Veterans!!

  5. Larry D. March 26, 2016 at 12:07

    Who is going to welcome us home? Miltary.com staff. Most Americans could care less.
    We were welcomed home with the Former Spouse Protection Act (FSPA) which takes most of our retired pay
    and gives it to a former spouse who remarried very quickly after the Dear John letter received because she
    did not want to be married to a Vietnam and Persian Gulf Combat Veteran who was deployed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So the U.S. government rewarded her with most of our retired pay for the rest of her life or mine. Sometimes we think dying would be better than living so she no longer receives this totally ILLEGAL money that I earned and sacrificed the best years of my life for.No one cares that the FSPA is so horrible to Combat Vets.

  6. David l Sauerwein March 26, 2016 at 11:05

    I would like to have my medals, please advise where to obtain these?
    my wife has had hip replaced, cancer, and I two knee replacements in the last year, ABOUT AID & ATTENDANCE to this day we have heard nothing. It is hard to pay or lawn care and house keeping, washing, shopping and cooking..

    • Gary Hicks March 28, 2016 at 07:55

      Mr. Sauerweine,
      Requests for replacement medals should be submitted on Standard Form 180, “Request Pertaining to Military Records,” which may be obtained at VA offices or the Internet at http://www.va.gov/vaforms/. Forms, addresses, and other information on requesting medals can be found on the Military Personnel Records section of NPRC’s Website at http://www.archives.gov/st-louis/military-personnel/index.html. For questions, call Military Personnel Records at (314) 801-0800, or email questions to: MPR.center@nara.gov.
      More information is available here.

      There is a short video on Aid and Attendance as well as information from VA’s website.

  7. Douglas Harris March 25, 2016 at 20:07

    Why didn’t the Mountain Home, TN Medical Center notify local Virginia service organizations of the recognition ceremony today?? Many southwest Virginia Vietnam veterans use that facility daily.

  8. Gregory Murphy March 25, 2016 at 13:58

    As a Blue Water Navy Vet who did 3 West Pac’s on CVA 31 and 34, and diagnosed with Prostate Cancer due to AO. I’m appalled at the way VA has treated me and my fellow Navy Vets. Being told that we did not serve in Vietnam is a disgrace. This Government awarded us 3 different Medals for our service along with 5 Campaign stars. We were in Theater and in Territorial Waters. To change the rules due to money and not science is criminal. And for the VA and Congress to allow this to happen is a slap in the face to all the brave men and woman who have and are serving this great nation. It’s bad enough to wait years for a decision for Compensation and Medical treatment. Also the Choice gives me no Choice. We will hear all the lip service you guys can give but it means nothing to us. Correct this injustice now!

  9. Raymond Melninkaitis March 25, 2016 at 12:59

    Too bad the Vietnam Blue Water Navy is not considered Vietnam Veterans. Only those with “boots on the ground” were in harms way. I wonder if the air is different on the Vietnam mainland? Perhaps the winds blow in another direction. And those waves that hit the beaches and draw the effluents from the rivers and streams, must come from somewhere other than the South China Sea (Tonkin Gulf). Those sailors come from tough stock, they do not have the same diseases, illnesses, or health needs as those with “boots on the ground”. The sailors’, Parkinson’s, Diabetes, AL Amyloidosis, Chronic B-cell Leukemias, Chloracne, Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Ischemic Heart Disease, Multiple Myeloma, Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, Peripheral Neuropathy Early-Onset, Porphyria Cutanea Tarda, Prostate Cancer,
    Cancers of the lung, larynx, trachea, and bronchus, Soft Tissue Sarcomas (other than osteosarcoma, chondrosarcoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma, or mesothelioma), came from somewhere else.

    Welcome home.

  10. ray ball March 25, 2016 at 12:58

    we love the Korean veterans and they to should never be gorgotten.

    Korean veterans, thank you for your service. You are the silent Soldiers, never to be forgotten.

    A Vietnam Vet.

  11. Jerome L. Weathington March 25, 2016 at 11:46

    “ABSOLUTELY, Outstanding!” “I salute the new VA and Secretary, McDonald’s reorganization and his high office and sincere integrity and consciousness, concerning, the Vietnam Veterans, of USA.”

  12. Joe Whitelaw March 25, 2016 at 11:19

    It’s about time! I have always loved my brothers in arms but I also have a special place in my heart for Vietnam veterans. I love these brothers of mine. I wish I could do more than just welcome them home

  13. Lou de Beer March 25, 2016 at 11:02

    Are there plans to commemorate and thank Korean war veterans?

  14. Lou de Beer March 25, 2016 at 10:56

    Are there plans to commemorate Korean war veterans?

    • Valerio Dobrich March 29, 2016 at 20:05

      Look at http://www.crwflags.com Korean War 50th Anniversary Commemorative flag and other wars flagd are listed. Thank you for your service.
      Vietnam 1965-66

  15. timothy hooey March 23, 2016 at 11:06

    If I am post in comments to early than tell me why! Something is not right here.

    HOOT””

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