The Department of Veterans Affairs Fort Bliss National Cemetery will honor the service, sacrifice, and enduring achievements of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War in a 50th Anniversary event on Friday.
On March 29, America will observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This special day was added to our national holidays when the President signed into law The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.
On the 30th, at the Fort Bliss National Cemetery Rostrum, local officials will honor El Pasoans who served in Vietnam. The event will commemorate Vietnam War Veterans and include a pinning ceremony to all Vietnam Veterans in attendance.
The lapel pins will be presented in a dignified manner to each Vietnam veteran during the event, and include accompanying remarks to reflect the nation’s thanks for their service and sacrifice.
On their website, Officials with the Department of Veterans Affairs say, “We make no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve and the overwhelming majority of these veterans served honorably and admirably.”
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 7 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame.
The Vietnam veteran lapel pin was initially introduced in small numbers in late 2014 with the first pin presented to then Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel. The National Rollout for the Vietnam veteran lapel pins was during the Congressional Ceremony in July 2015. These pins are now in full production and available to our Commemorative Partners for presentation to eligible Vietnam veterans.
What: A Vietnam War 50th Anniversary commemoration ceremony to thank and honor Veterans of the Vietnam War.
Who: Keynote Speaker: Mr. Issac Camacho
When: March 30, 2018 at 3:00pm
Where: Fort Bliss National Cemetery Rostrum
