We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
March 30 was designated as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in 2011 by the U.S. Senate and, the same year, by the Montana State Legislature. The date, based on the 1973 Peace Accords signing, recognizes the day the remaining American troops in Vietnam arrived back home. This is the 40th anniversary of the Peace Accords and a number of celebrations are planned nationwide and at the Montana state capital building.
Some 36,000 Montanans served during the Vietnam War, from 1959-1975. 268 Montanans were either killed in action or died from non-hostile causes during that period. Twenty-two were recognized as prisoners of war or missing in action.
The 2016 Montana organizing committee will be hosting a Veterans Honor Walk around the capital building followed by a ceremony at the Freedom Tree where the Vietnam POW-MIA plaque is located. The Freedom Tree site was dedicated in September, 2015.
The Montana Legislature's enactment declaring the day includes a statement expressing appreciation for the service Vietnam veterans gave, often not recognized at the time. The Montana act also thanks Vietnam veterans for their help to "veterans of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan in recovering from their wounds, both seen and unseen, and in supporting the reintegration of these new veterans back into civilian life."
Take a moment to thank a Vietnam veteran on this special day designated to honor them. About 35,000 Vietnam veterans still call Montana home.
