For the second year, American flags should be displayed March 29 to mark National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The 2017 Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act was the first federal statute that specifically provides for the honoring of Vietnam War veterans.

Last year, both chambers of Congress unanimously passed bipartisan legislation authored by Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) and Sen. Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

President Trump then signed National Vietnam War Veterans Day into law.

The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act represents the first federal statute recognizing the bravery and sacrifice of veterans who served during the Vietnam War.

Vietnam Veterans of America and Veterans of Foreign Wars supported the act, as did AMVETS Department of Pennsylvania.

Sgt. Harold Redding, a Vietnam veteran from York, came up with the concept of the legislation.

March 29, 1973, was the day the last combat troops were ordered out of Vietnam. While numerous troops remained behind before the fall of Saigon, March 29 holds great meaning for many Vietnam veterans.

 

• The official Vietnam era lasted from Aug. 5, 1964, to May 7, 1975.

• Total U.S. casualties: 58,220

• Total Pennsylvania casualties: 3,147

• Year of greatest casualties: 1968 (16,899)

• 2,709,918 Americans served in uniform in Vietnam.

• Average age of the men killed: 23.1 years

• 97 percent of Vietnam veterans were honorably discharged.

 

Sources: U.S. Wings, National Archives

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