March 29th is National Vietnam Veterans Day

The Vietnam War began in the mid 1950s. In North Vietnam, it was called the 'War Against the Americans to Save the Nation.'

Britannica lists the conflict occurring from 1954 to 1975. The United States ended the war in 1973, but still had troops in Vietnam through 1975. Over 58,000 American soldiers lost their lives during the Vietnam War, including my Uncle Jim, who died in March 1971 in Quang Ngai. He was only 21 years old.

It was a tough war for our nation with conflict among the citizens of the United States. The war was occurring from the time I was born, to to the time I reached the age of 20. For those of us growing up during that time, we only know what was happening through the screen of our television during the nightly news. That all changed when my uncle was killed.

After that, I learned all I could about the Vietnam War. I've visited the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. several times, and located my uncle's name on Panel 4W, Line 36. With each visit, as I looked around me, I observed the emotions of others at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall who also lost loved ones in the Vietnam War. Heartbreaking is the best way I can describe it.

March 29th this year, marks the 4th anniversary of the Vietnam War Veterans Day. While the pandemic has curbed many Vietnam War Veterans Day observances, the Vietnam War 50th website lists examples of how safely host events on March 29th.

via Vietnam War 50th, Britannica, Vietnam Veterans Memorial