Nearly 50 years ago, thousands of brave men and women returned from the Vietnam War after valiantly serving our nation abroad. This year, we thank them, not just for risking life and limb during the war, but for their continued commitment to this country in the decades that followed.
As part of our mission to recognize them, I am joining veterans’ services officers from across the 3rd District to recognize Vietnam War Veterans for their service to and sacrifice for this country. Any Vietnam-era Veteran living in the 3rd District who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces any time between November 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975 is eligible to request a 50th Commemoration pin. To request a pin, please fill out this form and either email it to jorge.moraleslopez@mail.house.gov or mail the form to 129 John St, Suite 12, Lowell, MA 01852. Although Congresswoman Trahan can only provide pins to residents of the 3rd Congressional District, we encourage Vietnam Veterans and their relatives who live outside of our district to contact their Member of Congress for more information.
Additional Background:
The 2008 National Defense Authorization Act authorized a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War to honor Veterans of the Vietnam War and to highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War. In 2007, the 110th Congress incorporated language in H.R. 4986 authorizing the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration began with the Presidential inaugural event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and concludes on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, by Presidential Proclamation.
For the purposes of this Commemoration, November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975 is the time period recognized to honor the service and sacrifice of those who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. 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. U.S. involvement in Vietnam started slowly with an initial deployment of advisors in the early 1950s, grew incrementally through the early 1960s, and expanded with the deployment of full combat units in July 1965. The last U.S. personnel were evacuated from Vietnam in April 1975.
The Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 7 million living Vietnam Veterans and 9 million families of those who served in this time frame. The Commemoration does not distinguish between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period.
For more information, visit: https://www.vietnamwar50th.com/
