Honoring Vietnam Vets on National Vietnam War Veterans Day
COLUMBIA, South Carolina – (March 29, 2024) National Vietnam War Veterans Day is observed annually on March 29 in the United States. It is a national observance that recognizes Veterans who served in the U.S. 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."
In his proclamation, Obama explained why it is important to create and recognize National Vietnam War Veterans Day. He wrote that the Vietnam War is "a story of patriots who braved the line of fire, who cast themselves into harm's way to save a friend, who fought hour after hour, day after day to preserve the liberties we hold dear."
"Yet, in one of the war's most profound tragedies, many of these men and women came home to be shunned or neglected — to face treatment unbefitting their courage and a welcome unworthy of their example," the proclamation continued later. "We must never let this happen again."
The proclamation went on to explain that National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a way to "reaffirm one of our most fundamental obligations: to show all who have worn the uniform of the United States the respect and dignity they deserve, and to honor their sacrifice by serving them as well as they served us."
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 recognized 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.
U.S. Air Force Sgt. Dave Fuller served in Vietnam in 1967-1968 and was a plumber specialist at Cam Ranh Bay. “The disrespect for Vietnam Veterans lasted for several years,” said Fuller. “Vietnam Veterans received very little thanks or respect from lot of the Americans.”
Even with the anger and disrespect aimed toward returning Vietnam Veterans, most are proud of their service.
“When I was in Vietnam, there were a few times I questioned myself as to why I volunteered to go to Vietnam,” added Fuller. “But probably as many times as I questioned my decision to volunteer, I also said that I was glad I went and especially glad I made it back. I was glad I made the sacrifice and decision to serve my country.”
U.S. Army Chief Warrant Officer 2 George Loudakis was a helicopter pilot in an Air Cavalry unit in An Khe in the Central Highlands of Vietnam from April 1971 to March 1972. “Extremely proud of my service. The U.S. Army opened the doors for everything I have accomplished in life,” said Loudakis. “I have nothing to regret as I take great pride in my actions to save American Soldiers’ lives.”
“The worst thing that happened to returning soldiers was they went straight from the battlefield to the hometown streets with no time to decompress with their comrades who had similar experiences,” said Loudakis. “I feel this was a huge contributing factor for PTSD, homelessness and unemployability.”
U.S. Air Force Staff Sgt. Tom Burdick was an electronic telegraph and cryptographic systems repairman from March of 1965 to February 1969. He was based in Europe with temporary duty (TDY) world-wide. “I did TDY stints in Vietnam in 1968 and 1969,” he said. “I experienced much negativity from American and European college kids touring Europe.” He prefers to refer to himself as a Vietnam-era Veteran. “I consider it a disservice to the men who served actual tours in Vietnam to call myself a "Vietnam Vet.”
That sentiment is shared by a lot of those Veterans. “Since I wasn’t in country, I don’t consider myself a Vietnam Vet,” said U.S. Marine Corps Lance Cpl. Stephen Bustin. He served in the Philippines in 1971-1972 and was assigned to Marine Barracks for security at the U.S. Navy magazine. “I consider myself to be a Vietnam-era Veteran.”
The author remembers listening to a Paul Harvey broadcast right after the 1984 Veterans Day. There was a parade in Lakeland, Florida, that included a very small group of Vietnam Veterans. As the parade proceeded, more and more Vietnam Veterans stood up and joined the group. By the end of the parade, there were hundreds of Vietnam Veterans walking and they were receiving a standing ovation by the people watching the parade.
The U.S. military was involved in Vietnam starting in the mid-'50s. The last American personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975, according to the Vietnam War Commemoration. Today, National Vietnam War Veterans Day honors everyone who served on active duty in the U.S. military from Nov. 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Nine million Americans — about 6.4 million of them living today — served during that period.
"We make no distinction between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period," the Commemoration website explains. "All were called to serve, and none could self-determine where they would serve."