March 29 Video


Message from the VWC Staff
Special Edition:  2024 Year in Review
 

Who kept the faith and fought the fight;
the glory theirs, the duty ours. 
 ~ Wallace Bruce
 
March 29 Poster
Our hearts are overflowing with emotion as we release our last "Year in Review"
SITREP.  A few announcements first:
 
  • With the change of administration, we thank the outgoing 28th Secretary of Defense, Lloyd J. Austin III, and salute his service to our Nation, military, veterans and the American people.  Read about Austin’s January 17 farewell, and departing message to our U.S. Armed Forces.  On Saturday, January 25, the Honorable Pete Hegseth was sworn in as the new chief of the Pentagon. Read more on his arrival and priorities as he leads the Defense Department.
  • We are in the home stretch!  You should have received our Wind-Down update in Issue 14, followed by the Director’s Message in Issue 15.  Please read our new announcement, and view the video from U.S. Army Maj. Gen. Ed Chrystal, Jr. for our gratitude and a call to action.
  • March 15  is swiftly approaching!  Submit your event requests in our Partner portal for any remaining full support requests (materials, booths and/or speaker), as we wrap up support by March 31.
  • As of April 1, our writ large event support capabilities will
    be reduced to conducting internally-planned close-out events.  However, on a first-come, first-served basis,
    we will also accept speaking requests.  Email us at whs.vnwar50th@mail.mil using “Speaking Request” in the subject line, and include the 5Ws in the body of your email: 1) Who: Name of Organization; 2) What: Event Title/theme; 3) When: Day/Time; 4) Where: Location (Name and Address of Venue); and 5) Why: Purpose of Event.
  • Finally, introducing our brand new  March 29, National Vietnam War Veterans Day (NVWVD) poster!  Enjoy this
    hi-res version (above right), along with myriad other NVWVD resources highlighted in Issue 1.
Year in Review
Photo that reads Thanks for AnsweringfWhat a year!  In 2024, we added 252  new Commemorative Partners.  In addition,
due to your amazing efforts, you inspired Americans to thank and honor 300 thousand  Vietnam veterans and their families during nearly 1,500  events.  In total, 4.1 million
were recognized in more than 28 thousand
events across the country since 2012 … well done!   
 
Top social media coverage—was a post on “X” (previously Twitter) from our 46th U.S. President, Joseph R. Biden, Jr.
In honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day, he saluted
“all those who served and defended our Constitution during
the Vietnam War.”   
The short video tribute (above) garnered
2.3 million views, with an overall reach of 37 million!   
 
Photo of a female Vietnam veteran getting pinned.In January, you joined together from Arizona to our Nation’s Capitol,Two Vietnam veterans pinned during a reception ceremony at the National Cathedral. to give honor where honor was due.  From a Phoenix Veterans Affairs Healthcare Recognition Ceremony (at left), to A Celebration of Character and Courage  ceremony and reception in Washington, D.C., we saluted the service, valor and sacrifice of our Vietnam veterans, their families, and those who remain missing.  
 

In February, the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association (AVVBA) was added as one of our 61 new Honorary Partners of the year.  These partners are organizations made up solely of those who bore the battle or those who bore the loss of the Vietnam War.  VWC Director Chrystal and History and Photo of the Honorary Partner, the Atlanta Vietnam Veterans Business Association.Legacy Chief Mark Franklin presented the distinction and are shown with the AVVBA at left.  In addition, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) have been collaborating with us and their 2,148 Commemorative Partner chapters the past two years to confer this distinction on all Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) organizations—those who bore the battle—and to thank and honor the veterans in each of their 47 state councils and 605 chapters in our 50 states, the District of Columbia and Guam.  In addition to VVA state councils and chapters being bestowed this distinction, DAR members have been presenting Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pins (VVLP) to VVA members who have never received one, and all VVA members are given a warm “Welcome Home” and the humble thanks of a grateful Nation.  To date, all 61 ceremonies have been completed.  Photo of a Wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall.Catch all the ceremony photos via our website.   

In March, we observed National Vietnam War Veterans Day along with the rest of the Nation, where more than 100 thousand  Vietnam veterans were thanked and honored during nearly 500  events!  Our annual national Joint Wreath-Laying Ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (at right) was Screening package flyer graphicrecorded, and included coverage from NBC, ABC, Stars and Stripes and DoD’s Defense Media Activity.  Also in time for March 29, a new Screening Package of our Welcome Home  honor concert was introduced for watch parties everywhere.  Screenings are becoming increasingly  popular, and included in the package are the Screening Guide, VVLP Presentation Addendum, Broadcast-quality streaming version, download options and flyer (at left).  If you have yet to see this Emmy-nominated  production, download it now  (HD 720p, SD 540p, SD 360p, and SD 240p versions) so you can enjoy long after our doors close and website is offline.  

Photo of event at The Mall of AmericaIn June, the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs co-hosted a Mall of America three-day event where our Director participated alongside the State’s Governor and a U.S. Senator in a recognition ceremony (at right)Hundreds  of Vietnam veterans were thanked and honored, and much of our staff was on-site and also participated in other activities such as Oral History Interviews and Welcome Home screenings where the concert was shown in multiple theaters with standing-room only! 
 
Photo of David Martinn, CBS News Pentagon Correspondent, as he is pinned by Colonel Cramer.During the summer, U.S. Navy Vietnam veteran and award-winning CBS News Pentagon Correspondent, Mr. David Martin was presented a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin for his service.  Special Assistant to the Director, U.S. Army Col. Pat Cramer rendered the honor (at left) in our Pentagon Vietnam War Exhibit.   
 
In September, we observed National POW/MIA Recognition Day  and The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency's poster.paid tribute to those held prisoners and returned, those still missing, and to the families still awaiting news of their loved ones.  The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA)’s new poster was highlighted in Issue 10 (at right), as they tirelessly pursue their mission of providing the fullest possible accounting for all missing personnel to their families and the Nation.  Last year, the identification of five previously missing Vietnam War military service members was announced: U.S. Air Force pilot, Major John C. G. Kerr, U.S. Air Force Sergeant David S. Price, U.S. Marine Corps Captain Ronald W. Forrester, U.S. Navy Reserve pilot, Lieutenant Commander Larry R. Kilpatrick, and U.S. Army Warrant Officer Albert R. Trudeau.
 
Photo of VWC's Marc Henderson speaking to visitors at the Arlington National Cemetery tram tour.Last Autumn, in collaboration with Arlington National Cemetery (ANC), we hosted a public tram tour (at left), featuring five Vietnam War veteran grave site visits; the Vietnam Helicopter Association Memorial and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  It was a powerful impact on all who attended.  Catch ANC’s tour blog post as well as their video for excellent summaries of the tour. 
 
Photo of a Vietnam veteran with his hand on his heart.November  and December  captured numerous veteran recognitions for Veterans Day,  and we wrapped up our Commemorative Partner (CP) application program.  A final partner welcomed—was U.S. and Canada-based senior living community organization Sunrise Senior Living—who is seeking to thank and honor Vietnam veterans in all of their 270+ communities through ceremonies and Welcome Home screenings in the days and years to come.  Thank you, and a hearty congratulations to all of our Partners  throughout 2024!  
 
Image of a Vietnam veteran getting pinned at an event.Finally, our last two videos  were released: the short Join the Nation for use in perpetuity, and our Director’s final message with a call to carry on the torch
 
As we engage the remaining months of 2025, stay tuned as we prepare for National Vietnam War Veterans Day.  Remember to submit your event requests for materials as soon as possible, but by March 15  to ensure you have what you need.  We also have myriad digital resources available for your program and event inclusion as the day draws near.  Though our SITREPs are winding down, we will continue through the end of March, releasing our final SITREPs following National Vietnam War Veterans Day and the weeks that follow.  Our work will soon be turned over to you and all Americans, as you engage the country to Join the Nation and thank a Vietnam veteran  

56 U.S. Proclamations

(States, Commonwealths, Territories & the District of Columbia)

56 U.S. Proclamations Grid


Thank you for visiting our website. If you experience a problem while visiting this website, please call the Commemoration at 877-387-9951 or email us at whs.vnwar50th@mail.mil.  Please let us know how we can help you thank Vietnam veterans!

Join the Nation … thank a Vietnam veteran!

*Click on the map below to see individual state, territory, and international totals of completed events and current number of partners.
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additional vvlp instructions

Vietnam veterans who cannot attend an event can receive a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin by providing us a current mailing address here.

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commemoration
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Gary Sinise Tribute



Gary Sinise's message on
the 5th Anniversary of
National Vietnam War
Veterans Day

 

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Leadership

Maj. Gen. Edward J. Chrystal, Jr.,
U.S. Army
Director
Maj. Gen. Edward J. Chrystal, Jr., U.S. Army, Acting Director

Leadership