Today, March 29, we will remember with solemnity the sacrifices and selfless service of our Vietnam veterans and their families everywhere. Our thoughts are directed to all who served during that difficult conflict—the hundreds of thousands still with us and the many thousands who, sadly, are not. Many of the latter have left us much too soon.

For the past six years, March 29 has been officially recognized as National Vietnam War Veterans Day by virtue of The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017.

March 29, 2023, is an especially fitting day this year to honor the 2.7 million Americans who served during the Vietnam War era. Exactly 50 years ago to the day, the last of America’s combat troops returned home from Vietnam. March 29, 1973, was also the day the U.S. Military Assistance Command was disbanded and the last of Hanoi’s acknowledged prisoners of war were released.

Troops returning from Vietnam were not welcomed back as those from the two World Wars and Korea had been. In many cases, the treatment was harsh and even cruel. Now, after 50 years of national soul-searching and the previously untold stories of courage, valor, and honorable service, the misconceptions of 50 years ago are largely gone. A grateful nation recognizes these men and women for the heroes they truly are.

On behalf of the Blinded Veterans Association (BVA) National Board of Directors and National Headquarters, I salute and thank our Vietnam veterans. Welcome home to all of you! For their noble sacrifice, I also thank your families and your caregivers. We recognize the work that so many of you now offer to your local communities and to our organization of veterans with sight loss. For nearly two decades you have made up the largest sector of our BVA membership. For even longer than that you have served as our innovators, our administrators, and our national and regional group leaders. For this great service, our gratitude has no bounds!

My gratitude to Vietnam era veterans is also very personal. Earlier in my career, as I worked in the field of legislative advocacy for the organization that represents specifically them, Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA), my mentors there instilled in me the significance of the VVA motto: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.” That standard is something I’ve carried with me for guidance in my work, and as a reminder ever since, of how we must treat our fellow veterans.

In honor of this important and historic day, please reach out to pay this message forward, offering an appropriate “Welcome Home” to a Vietnam veteran or two. When and where possible, please express similar thanks to their worthy families, caregivers, and survivors.

Warmest regards,

Donald D. Overton, Jr.

Executive Director