Nearly 50 years ago, thousands of brave men and women returned from the Vietnam War after valiantly serving our nation abroad. 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.
If you are a Vietnam-era Veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975 and residing in the 3rd District, you are eligible to request a Vietnam 50th Commemorative Lapel Pin. To request the pin,
please fill out this form and include
a copy of your DD-214 to confirm your eligibility. You can mail the form and a copy of your DD-214 to 129 John St, Suite 12, Lowell, MA 01852. Please note that the pins are only available to residents of the 3rd Congressional District. However, if you are a Vietnam Veteran or a relative of one who lives outside our District, we encourage you to contact your 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/
