Acting Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs and Veterans Affairs Executive Director, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs to Lay Wreath at ‘The Wall’ in Honor of Vietnam Veterans

March 29, 2019 - WASHINGTON – On Thursday, the Department of Defense announced it will conduct a wreath laying ceremony with the Department of Veterans Affairs at The Vietnam War Memorial March 29, 2019. On March 28, 2017, President Trump signed into law The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, establishing The National Vietnam War Veterans Day that will, henceforth, be celebrated each year on March 29. 

This is the second anniversary of that special day. DOD will also support over 1,600 events in many states across the nation to recognize, honor and thank U.S. Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifices. 

The Acting Principal Deputy Assistant to the Secretary of Defense for Public Affairs, Kim Joiner, will host the ceremony at the Vietnam War Memorial to continue the department’s contribution to the commemoration. “Publicly and individually presenting a Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin to the men and women representing all who served during this challenging time in our Nation’s history will be the privilege of a lifetime,” said Joiner. She will be joined by Veterans Affairs Executive Director, Office of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs, Gary Tallman.    “We are proud to partner with DOD for this noble mission to support communities – large and small alike – throughout the Nation to thank and honor thousands of Vietnam veterans and their families.”

The DOD, along with more than 11,000 organizations across the country, is joined by the Department of Veterans Affairs, one of its key Commemorative Partners, to help Americans honor our Nation’s Vietnam veterans.  

Authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by President Obama on May 25, 2012, the Vietnam War Commemoration recognizes all men and women who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces from Nov. 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975. Nine million Americans, approximately 6.4 million living today, served during that period, and the commemoration makes no distinction between veterans who served in-county, in-theater, or were stationed elsewhere during those 20 years. All answered the call of duty. The proclamation extends the commemoration from its inaugural event on Memorial Day 2012 through Veterans Day 2025.  

President Trump, in his 2017 presidential proclamation, stated: “Throughout this Commemoration of the 50th Anniversary of the Vietnam War, and every March 29 thereafter, we will honor all those who answered our Nation’s call to duty. We vow to never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. With conviction, our Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing care, and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans.” 

Commemorative Partners – local, state and national organizations, businesses, corporations and governmental agencies – have committed to publicly thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families on behalf of the nation and have pledged to host a minimum of two events annually.    

For more information or to schedule an interview with a commemoration representative, please contact Deborah Grays at 703-697-4922 or deborah.b.grays.civ@mail.mil.
Source: DOD