Background

Americans are uniting to honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.  In 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act empowered the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program on behalf of the nation to commemorate the anniversary of the Vietnam War.  The approach across the Nation has focused on enlisting Commemorative Partners, who are requested to conduct two events per year to thank and honor our Vietnam Veterans and their families, in their hometowns, where they live.  Since the initial Presidential ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in May 2012, over 9,100 organizations have joined as Commemorative Partners. In May 2014 the State of Hawaii became a proud partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration.

 

Event

In 2017, March 29 was officially designated as "National Vietnam War Veterans Day." The National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade in Honolulu, Hawaii is an annual event to provide an ongoing tribute to our Vietnam War Veterans and their families. 

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History

Why have the National Vietnam Veterans Day Parade in Hawaii?  Hawaii was the primary R&R location for American troops during the Vietnam War; U.S. POWs first returned home to Hickam, AFB; the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific has listed by name all of the POW/MIA from the Vietnam War; the National Cemetery of the Pacific has the only Vietnam Map Gallery of military units and campaigns of the Vietnam War; Hawaii is home to the Pacific Command, with major installations for all five component branches; Hawaii is the home of the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency; and is the Central location to include the allied nations that fought alongside the United States during the Vietnam War.  So on behalf of the Governor of Hawaii and the planning committee, we invite you to join us in Honolulu, Hawaii, March 29 (annually), as we welcome home Vietnam Veterans and their families in culmination of our week-long international event.

 

 

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