DeCA will publicize the new ceremony dates once they are set, inviting all Vietnam-era veterans who served from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, to attend and receive a lapel pin at select stateside and overseas stores.
“The Defense Commissary Agency is proud to be a part of this national effort to thank our Vietnam-era veterans for their service and sacrifice,” said retired Rear Adm. Robert J. Bianchi, Department of Defense special assistant for commissary operations. “Later this year, many of our commissaries will host events to honor veterans who served during the Vietnam War. We also want to continue welcoming the millions of newly eligible veterans and their caregivers who are now authorized to shop on-base.”
You can view Bianchi's full remarks on YouTube, (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4G2wFz8XMy0)
This is the sixth year for the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration event which honors the service of living Vietnam War veterans, surviving spouses and family members on March 29, Vietnam Veterans Day.
Vietnam Veterans Day was first established by presidential proclamation in 2012 leading to the start of annual observance events in 2014. The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 further established the events as a national observance to recognize Vietnam War-era veterans for their service.
Approximately 9 million U.S. military members served on active duty during the Vietnam War era. Out of the 2.7 million U.S. service members who served in Vietnam, more than 58,000 were killed and more than 304,000 wounded.
For more information, go to vietnamwar50th.com.
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