Wednesday marked the 50th Anniversary of the troop withdrawal from south Vietnam. More than 9,000,000 Americans served during the Vietnam War. And it was on March 29th, 1973, the last American military service member was pulled out, and the last American prisoners of war were released.
Over 58,000 American lives were lost in the war.
In Wichita, veterans gathered at Veterans Memorial Park to mark the day and the sacrifice.
It was a darker time when many returning soldiers were at best, “welcomed” with indifference. At worst, many faced hostility and ridicule from an angry public.
With time, the nation has come to reflect and realize those who enlisted or were drafted into service were doing their job as members of the United States Armed Forces.
Like all who wore the uniforms in the past, they deserved thanks for serving our country.
Of the nearly 6,000,000 American Vietnam War-era veterans still alive today, about 600,000 served in southeast Asia.
And there are 1,500 Americans still listed as missing in action.
In 2012, a presidential proclamation was signed into law, designating March 29 as the annual observance of Vietnam War Veterans Day.
Then, the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 was signed into law, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.