The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition act of 2017 was signed into law by former President Donald J. Trump, designating every March 29 as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

March 29 was chosen because, on that day in 1973, just two months after the signing of the Paris Peace Accords between North and South Vietnam and the United States, the United States Military Assistance Command Vietnam was abolished.

This was also the last day combat troops departed and the last of the acknowledged United States prisoners of war were released by Hanoi.

Only a defense attache’s office and a few Marine guards, as well as 7,200 U.S. civilians, remained. The U.S. military contingent was limited to 50.

This is the 50th anniversary of the end of the war in Vietnam.

Vietnam veterans never asked for this war but served proudly out of love of country.

God bless you, and welcome home.

Paul N. Yeckel Jr.

Hempfield

The writer was an infantryman in Vietnam in 1966-67.

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