Since the birth of the United States, each generation of Americans has been called to defend freedom by
force of arms. Our country, communities, our families and our children owe a debt of gratitude to over forty-two million Americans who sacrificed and served in time of war. Unfortunately, there is a specific generation of these patriots that were not treated with respect or shown gratitude during their service by our citizenry. In 2012, Congress established, under the secretary of defense, The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration – a national 50th anniversary commemoration. Memorial Day, 2012 at the inaugural event of the national Commemoration, President Obama stated,

“And one of the most painful chapters in our history was Vietnam – – most particularly, how we treated our troops who served there…You came home and sometimes were denigrated, when you should have been celebrated. It was a national shame, a disgrace that should have never happened. And that’s why here today we resolve that it will never happen again.”

Unlike our veterans of today, who are welcomed home with waving flags and cheers, the families of our Vietnam veterans watched service men and women returning home to a Nation in turmoil. They watched as the vast majority received no recognition for their service or welcome home ceremonies hosted by their communities.

We now have the opportunity to do what should have been done 50 years ago: welcome our Vietnam veterans home with honor, and thank them and their families for their service and sacrifice.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017 designates March 29th as National Vietnam War Veterans Day to honor the sacrifices of the 9 million heroes who served during this difficult chapter of our country’s history.

Throughout the commemoration period, Americans intend to offer the thanks of our Nation to as many as possible of the approximately 6.4 million living Vietnam veterans and the 9 million families of those who served from November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location.

The Increase Carpenter Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (ICNSDAR) is serving as a Commemorative Partner with the USA Vietnam War Commemoration. The Commemoration has established a special recognition program, a series of Certificates of Honor, to recognize the unique service and sacrifice of four categories of veterans and family members:

* Former, living American military Vietnam POWs from the Vietnam War as listed by the Department of Defense.
* Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of American military personnel who are listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam
War by the Department of Defense.
* Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of a vet- eran listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and who is not listed as missing or unaccounted for by the Department of Defense.
* Surviving spouse, at time of death, of a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period 1 November 1955 to 15 May 1975, regardless of location of service.

ICNSDAR is working with the Vietnam Veterans of America and other veterans organizations to find and invite people in the above categories to a very special ceremony. They would like your help identifying and contacting our veterans and families. To participate in the event or share information for veterans and family members, please email the ICNSDAR at darqueens@gmail.com.

This ceremony will be held the evening of Friday, May 12, 2023, at Saint Sebastian’s War Veterans Post 870 in Woodside.

For more information about the National Commemoration, please go to vietnamwar50th.com/welcomehome/
For more information about the Increase Carpenter Chapter NSDAR or assistance becoming a member, contact the chapter at darqueens@gmail.com or at increasecarpenterdar.org , IncreaseCarpenterNSDAR on Facebook, or on Instagram at “icc_dar.”