The US military members who came home and were greeted with rebuke and disdain, have a special day. March 29th was set aside in 1974 as the 1 year anniversary of the withdrawal of US combat forces from Vietnam. But, that day did not have any real meaning then. It was an empty gesture to those who served with dignity and pride. The homecoming of our Vietnam Veterans was not good. Some were spit upon, called names and in some instances physically assaulted.
Our society treated our Vietnam Veterans poorly. For years, our government failed to recognize their service and the physical and mental toll that the Vietnam War took on those who served.
There was substantial support of the Vietnam War effort at the beginning of the 1960’s. That support had almost completely evaporated at the end of the decade. According to the Department of Defense Manpower Data Center, in 1968, there were over 536,000 US military personnel in Vietnam.
Long before the Paris Peace Accords were signed 50 years ago in January, the United States had started a draw down of troops in Vietnam. In 1971, the troop count barely exceeded 156,000 US military personnel deployed to Vietnam. In 1972, that number dwindled to 24,200 and 50 years ago, there were 50 US Military members in Vietnam.
Yes, 50 years ago the Vietnam War was conceivably over for the United States and its military. The tradition of celebrating March 29th never received prominence until recently when the Commemoration of the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War was established in 2012 by President Barak Obama. This commemoration is scheduled to continue through November 11, 2025.
We owe a debt of gratitude to all of those who served. Over the past 50 years the US Military Vietnam Veterans have seen their standing elevated in our society. However, in some regards they are still overlooked. For example, in Oregon’s capital city of Salem, you can find memorials to every war, including the Civil War with the exception of the Vietnam War. Albeit decades late, the plans for a Vietnam War Memorial on the Oregon State Capitol Grounds have been approved. Funding is the only limiting factor preventing these approved plans to come to fruition.
You can help make this memorial a reality. The Vietnam War Memorial Fund, the recognized non-profit for this project, is actively raising funds to construct this beautiful memorial on the capitol grounds. Visit the website and see the plans and design of the memorial. You can send your contribution to Vietnam War Memorial Fund, PO Box 1448, Boring, Oregon 97009. Or, you can donate by credit card at the website: https://ocvvm.com/
About the author:
Steve Bates has resided in Boring for 46 years and is a Life Member of the Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America and an Honorary Life Member of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He serves as Chair of the Committee on Memorials and Remembrance and President of the Vietnam War Memorial Fund. He can be reached at: vietnamwarmem@aol.com
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