Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day
Montana, a Proud Partner with The U.S.A. Vietnam War Commemoration, is commemorating Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day on Friday, March 29, throughout the state.
In 2011, the United States Senate passed a congressional measure recognizing March 30, 2011 — and every year to follow — as Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.
Also in 2011, the 62nd Montana Legislature enacted into law House Bill 255, entitled, “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.” The act established that annually, on March 30, Montana should recognize and thank our Vietnam Veterans.
Community level events are encouraged to recognize the over 36,000 Montana men and women who served in the Republic of Vietnam from 1959-1975.
On March 28, 2017, Public Law 115-15 was enacted to recognize the “Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017” to encourage the display of the flag of the United States of America on National Vietnam Veterans Day on March 29 each year.
A program is scheduled to be conducted at the Montana State Capitol Complex on March 29. This program will be a combination of Veterans Honor Walk around the Capitol Complex, followed by a ceremony at the Freedom Tree, where the Vietnam POW-MIA plaque — re-dedicated on Sept. 16 — 2015, is located.
Command Sgt. Maj. Robert Bennett, U.S. Army Retired, who served as the Montana National Guard command sergeant major, will be the keynote speaker. Bennett is a Vietnam Veteran, having served as an attack helicopter crew chief, 336th Assault Helicopter Co., South Vietnam 1968-69. Bennett returned to serve in the Montana Army National Guard aviation community from 1972 to his retirement in 2009.
A proclamation, as well as letters from the governor, Congressional and local support, are to be read. Vietnam Veterans, Gold Star families and POW-MIA families who have not yet received a 50th Anniversary Pin can do so by asking the Honor Walk Marshalls.
From Montana, 268 service members paid the ultimate price, either killed in action or dying from non-hostile causes during this period. Twenty-two Montanans were recognized as prisoners of war or missing in action. Today, five of our Montana POW-MIAs have been returned home, and efforts to locate and return the remainder go on day by day.
As of September 2018, approximately 32,300 Vietnam men and women veterans who call Montana home, according to VA.Gov statistics. This number includes Vietnam veterans who have moved to the Big Sky after the close of the Vietnam conflict.
Schedule of Events: 10 a.m. Gather at the Veterans and Pioneers Building (Montana Historical Society corner of Roberts and 6th Avenue East).
At 10:30 a.m. the Honor Walk will progress west in front of the State Capitol to North Montana. Turning south, the Honor Walk will continue on Montana Avenue to Lockey Avenue. Turning east on Lockey Avenue, the walk proceeds to the southeast corner of the Capitol building (Freedom Tree/POW-MIA Memorial site) where the ceremony will be held.
The ceremony will start at 11 a.m. The ceremonial site is located outdoors so dress appropriately. In case of inclement weather the actual ceremony will be moved into the Mazurek Justice Center Atrium.
This is a Vietnam War 50th Anniversary commemorative event sponsored by the Montana Governor’s Office, the Montana Department of Military Affairs, the Montana Military Museum, American Legion Post No. 2 (Lewis and Clark Post), the Oro Fino Chapter, Daughters of the American Revolution and the Veterans Administration (www.vietnam50th.org).
Questions: Call 406-235-0290 or 406-458-9847