Bosque River Valley DAR joins nation in honoring soldiers & their families on Vietnam War Veterans Day
Once forgotten and misunderstood, the National Vietnam War Veterans Day honors the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in United States history today.
President Donald Trump signed the Vietnam War Veterans Day Act on March 28, 2017, calling for U.S. flags to be flown each March 29 commemorating the Vietnam War veterans, because it was on March 29, 1973 that United States combat and combat support units withdrew from South Vietnam.
Additionally, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed a proclamation for March 29 to be observed as Vietnam War Veterans Day in Texas, urging the appropriate recognition of our Veterans of the Vietnam War.
Leading up to the commemoration day, Bosque River Valley Daughters of the American Revolution chairman Sue Fielden and DAR member Carla Sigler placed the Vietnam War Commemorative posters in the Hallway of the Bosque County Courthouse March 6. The posters include a timeline of the war, and tributes to all who served during the war in any U.S. military branch: Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard.
For the past couple of years, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution – Bosque River Valley Chapter proudly hosted a commemoration ceremony for Vietnam War-era veterans.
Unfortunately this year, the COVID-19 pandemic led to the postponement of this special occasion scheduled for March 27 to honor the service of those who served between the dates of November 15, 1955 and May 15, 1975 in the uniform of the U.S. Military, anywhere in the world where there was a presence of United States military. But the BRVDAR does plan to reschedule when the time is right.
“As a day to honor those who have “borne the battle,” we want to extend gratitude and appreciation to them and their families,” Fielden said. “Because of the current circumstances with the Coronavirus, events in honor of Vietnam War Veterans had to be postponed. Even so, let us all pause to remember and honor the men and women who served and sacrificed during the longest conflict in the United States history.”
Like last year, Bosque River Valley area Vietnam Veterans were to be honored March 27 with a reception organized by the Bosque River Valley Daughters of the American Revolution, but the event was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic precautions.
Instead, DAR members urge citizens to consider reaching out to a Vietnam Veteran you know. Send them a text message, call them, send them an email or letter – thank them for their service and sacrifice.
“Both Sue and I take great pride in Honoring our Vietnam Veterans annually during the Vietnam War Veterans Day,” Sigler said. “It was a difficult, but a necessary decision to postpone this year's recognition because of our national crisis.
“On March 29, 1973, the last American combat troop left South Vietnam. Those boys came home expecting cheers, but instead received jeers for decades. It is our mission to recognize these heroes.”
Involving five U.S. presidents, crossing nearly two decades and 500,000 U.S. military personnel, the war left an indelible mark on the American psyche. There were 58,000 killed, never to return, while more than 150,000 returned wounded.
Fifty years later, National Vietnam War Veterans Day recognizes the military service of these men and women who didn’t make the decisions to go to war but did their national duty to serve their country when she needed them. It is the national committee’s mission to thank and honor Vietnam soldiers, those missing in action and their families, and to give them the welcome home they did not get 50 years ago – that is nearly seven million individuals.
The BRVDAR is an official 50th Commemoration of the Vietnam War Partnership Committee member and as such organized this event to honor Bosque County Vietnam veterans and recognize the service and duty rendered by them.
For more info, contact Sue Fielden at (254) 855-8040.
Photos by SIMONE WICHERS-VOSS
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