Wednesday is National Vietnam War Veterans Day

Roger Merriam, Watertown Public Opinion
·2 min read
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The National Vietnam War Veterans Day is on Wednesday.

National Vietnam War Veterans Day is a day to give proper recognition to the men and women who returned home from that war and didn't receive a proper welcome home and to thank and honor veterans including personnel who were held prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifices on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.

The Vietnam War Veterans Act of 2017 was signed into law on March 28, 2017 by the 45th U.S. President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The United States became involved in Vietnam because it was believed that if South Vietnam fell to a communist government, communism would spread throughout the rest of Southeast Asia. The US Armed Forces began serving in an advisory role to the South Vietnamese in 1961 and in 1965, ground troops were sent into Vietnam.

After many years of combat, all US troops were withdrawn from Vietnam on March 29, 1973, under the Treaty of Paris. In April of 1975 the last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam. South Vietnam then collapsed and was replaced with a communist regime. On July 2, 1976, the entire country became the Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

According to the United States Department of Defense, more than eight million US troops served all over the world during the Vietnam War. More than 58,000 soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines lost their lives and more that 300,000 were wounded.

Communities are encouraged throughout the country to take measures to commemorate this day by honoring Vietnam War veterans in their area. Many public buildings will fly the American Flag on this day and many private citizens will as well.

This is one of 11 days in which the Watertown American Legion Post 17 displays the 'Avenue of Flags' throughout Watertown to honor Vietnam War veterans.

This article originally appeared on Watertown Public Opinion: Watertown American Legion Post 17 to display "Avenue of Flags"