Vietnam veterans to be honored at next El Dorado County Supervisor meeting

All veterans and families are invited to attend the El Dorado County BOS meeting on March 22, 2016 at 10:00 a.m. for the presentation of a proclamation from the US Department of Veteran Affairs. The proclamation is titled "Vietnam Veterans Day".

This official commemoration recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the U.S. involvement in Vietnam, November 1, 1955, to May 15, 1975. Nine million Americans, approximately 7.2 million living today, served during that period, and the commemoration makes no distinction between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. All answered the call of duty. If you have not yet become a commemorative partner, you can learn more here: www.vietnamwar50th.com.

Department of Veteran Affairs Secretary Robert McDonald has decided to create a very special and bold event to honor veterans who served during that time span. He has issued a very unique and special message throughout the VA System nationwide regarding the commemoration. The message issued November 2015 reads “VA Central Office, along with nearly 9,000 organizations across the country, has joined with the Department of Defense as a commemorative partner to honor our Nation’s Vietnam Veterans. I have designated March 29, 2016, as a day for our Department to express our tremendous gratitude and support to this generation of Americans through ceremonies across the nation.” The date of March 29 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the day when the last American troops left Vietnam in 1973. It serves as the perfect occasion to recognize, honor and thank our Vietnam veterans and their families.