LOS ANGELES, Calif. — The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors unanimously approved today a motion spearheaded by Supervisor Hilda L. Solis to proclaim March 29, 2024 as “Vietnam War Veterans Day” in Los Angeles County.
The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act, signed into law in 2017, designates every March 29 as “National Vietnam War Veterans Day.” This day was selected because it marks the day the last U.S. combat troops left Vietnam soil in 1973.
“March 29 is a reminder to us about those individuals who left their homes, whether drafted or not, to serve our nation. The Vietnam War was not found, by some, to be a sound military action, but nevertheless, our women and men braved through tough situations,” said Supervisor Solis. “Upon their return, they did not come home to ticker tape parades or warm welcomes. However, they marched on. Some went to school, found jobs, coached youth sports, and started families. Others struggled to adjust to the new world they had returned to. Here we are almost 70 years later since President Eisenhower deployed U.S. advisors to the Republic of Vietnam. We are grateful to the women and men who sacrificed so much, and we honor your service to your communities, your families, and our Nation. God bless you and your loved ones.”
“We owe a great debt of gratitude to our Vietnam veterans for not just their actions on the battlefield, but also for the tremendous contributions to improving the way future generations of veterans are received when they return home,” said Jim Zenner, director of Los Angeles County Department of Military and Veterans Affairs. “Vietnam Veterans Day is a reminder of their sacrifices and a call to action to ensure society never allows a generation of veterans we send to war to be abandoned again.”
In addition to the proclamation, the motion instructs Countywide Communications to highlight the work of the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs and other County Departments’ commemorations of this day.
