Mar 25, 2021: Last week I watched the most moving and incredible set of Newsmax documentaries showcasing never-revealed WWII footage and the heroism of the brave men and women who fought in that treacherous war. The documentaries drew from first-hand narration by surviving Veterans – the narration delivered vivid and unforgettable images of courage and valor deep into my heart. The images and recounts of such rare bravery and heroics can only leave one speechless and feeling forever indebted to the brave men and women who protected America and the free world from the threat of evil forces in that time. When we think of all the blessing we have today, it should be impossible for anyone to ever forget what our Veterans put on the line for the freedom and prosperity we all enjoy today. To gain a fuller appreciation of the power of the Newsmax wartime documentaries, I highly recommend starting with the documentary, “A Company of Heroes: Untold Stories from the Band of Brothers”.
Today (March 25), I just so happened to meet a Vietnam War Veteran by pure coincidence. While in a small Florida town called Palm Harbor, I was fortunate enough to strike up a random conversation with a distinguished looking Veteran wearing a War Veteran’s ball cap. During that short chat I confirmed that this gentleman was indeed a Vietnam Veteran. I also learned that this Monday (March 29) marks National Vietnam War Veterans Day. I was ashamed that I was not aware of this holiday but was certain to put it in my calendar and to share this information with our EA community of patriots and to as many people as I know.
Just for some additional context regarding this important day of remembrance, here are a few points to know about this special day of honor for our Vietnam Veterans:
- The day was first observed on March 29, 2012 as a one-time occasion
- In 2017, President Trump introduced this day as an annual event formalizing this date with the execution of the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017
- March 29 also commemorates the day in 1973 when the last US troops departed Vietnam
- This day represents the seventh national day of recognition focused on military service (the others are Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, Navy Day and Veterans Day – please mark each of these important dates in your calendars).
- Across the US this day is intended for commemorative events like wreath-laying ceremonies, speeches, and luncheons (the largest events typically occur at the Vietnam Veteran’s Memorial in Washington DC, war veteran medial facilities, and military cemeteries)
On March 29, I will be thinking about the more than 500,000 Americans who were dispatched to Southeast Asia (in a war that ran from 1955 to 1975) where more than 58,000 men and women lost their lives in the line of duty and to protect the interests of the free and prosperous nation we have today. Our Veterans are national treasures and deserve a hero’s welcome and treatment every day of the year but especially on the date in the calendar intended to commemorate our Vietnam War surviving veterans and the fallen (March 29 is that day).
Please share this information with your friends and family and let the veterans in your community know how fond you are of their courage and the sacrifices they made for our great nation. On March 29, keep an eye open for veterans wearing commemorative pins, lapels, and hats and express your thanks and appreciation accordingly. By: Extremely American Colin Wright