Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and United States Senator Amy Klobuchar are honoring Minnesota veterans on the the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.
Vietnam war vets are the largest veteran population in Minnesota with more than 97,000 of them calling the state home.
The governor addressed a packed room of vets Friday morning in the Rotunda at the Mall of America.
"It took time, but here you stand, and then each and every one of you that's here not only came back and did all that, you went back and started businesses, you went back and taught school, you went back and become police officers and the things to build this," said Governor Walz.
Senator Klobuchar later added that the crucial contributions and sacrifices made by those who served during the Vietnam War will never be forgotten by Minnesotans.
"It's quite a backdrop when you look behind you, the Shredders Mutant Masher is back there for the roller coasters and the like, and it does make you think about if we didn't have men and women like yourselves signing up to serve, we would not have all those kids back there having fun on those roller coasters right now," said Klobuchar.
About 3 million Americans served in the U.S. Armed Forces during the Vietnam War.
The Mall will also host a couple of other events Saturday:
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Vietnam Veterans Resource Fair North Atrium, 2nd Floor
10 a.m. - 6 p.m. Historical displays from Minnesota Military and Veterans Museum and the American Veterans Traveling Tribute (AVTT) Vietnam Wall, North Atrium, 1st floor