National Vietnam War Veterans Day [VIDEO]

Today March the 29th is designated National Vietnam War Veterans Day because on March 29, 1973 the last U.S. Forces left Vietnam.
I was part of the Vietnam war serving as a mortarman with the U.S. Army 4th Infantry Division in the Central Highlands from the autumn of 1969 through the autumn of 1970. When we came back form the war there weren't any welcome home signs and handshakes with a thank you for your service. The nation was filled with anti-war protests that forced many veterans to remove their uniform and put on civilian clothes before or as soon as they got back home in the U.S.A. to avoid being the target of the ill feelings being expressed.
So today has been set aside as National Vietnam War Veterans Day and is partly intended as a way to make up for that slight. It’s stated primary objective is to “thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the Nation, with distinct recognition of former prisoners of war and families of those still listed as missing in action.”

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The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served during November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V); May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.

Source: vietnamwar50th.com