- Elizabeth Larson
- Posted On
Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day observed March 30
“Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day” is being observed on Wednesday, March 30.
The observance follows National Vietnam War Veterans Day on Tuesday, March 29.
The Vietnam War took place from Aug. 4, 1964 to Jan. 27, 1973.
The Department of Veterans Affairs said the number of all those who served during the Armed Forces at that time totaled 8,744,000, with 3,403,000 deployed to Southeast Asia.
The war resulted in 47,424 battle deaths, 10,785 other deaths in theater, 153,303 wounded and 238 Medals of Honor, the VA reported.
About 10% of the war’s casualties came from California, according to the Governor’s Office.
Five Lake County men reported to have died in the war.
The Department of Defense’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency said the war resulted in 2,646 unaccounted for Americans lost in the Vietnam War. Of those, 1,062 have been repatriated and identified, with 1,584 still to be located.
Lake County is reported to have one of the highest veterans populations per capita in the state of California.
The U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey for 2020 reports that the veterans population in Lake County totals 9.7%.
Of Lake County’s veterans population, the American Community Survey shows that the vast majority served during the Vietnam era.
The survey reported that 2,297 Lake County residents are Vietnam era veterans, which accounts for 46.7% of the overall veterans population. The next largest group is Gulf War veterans, at 10.6%, or 528 individuals.
Gov. Gavin Newsom issued a proclamation declaring Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day in California.
The full proclamation is below.
EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT
STATE OF CALIFORNIA
PROCLAMATION
Nearly fifty years after the last American troops returned home from the Vietnam War, which claimed the lives of more than 58,000 U.S. service members, including 5,822 Californians, we honor the brave men and women who selflessly answered our nation's call at a time of great turmoil and strife.
Whether drafted or volunteered, our Vietnam veterans served with honor and distinction in one of our nation's most challenging wars, and amid deep social, political and cultural divisions throughout society. Upon returning home, these veterans — many of them bearing lifelong physical and mental scars — were not met with the gratitude, respect and care befitting of their heroism and sacrifices.
Each year, we must recommit ourselves to honoring the legacy of our Vietnam veterans and upholding the lesson they have imparted — welcoming home our service members is essential, but only the first step in our duty to serve and support them.
California is proud to stand by our veterans and remains steadfastly committed to connecting them and their families with the benefits they have earned and deeply deserve.
NOW THEREFORE I, GAVIN NEWSOM, Governor of the State of California, do hereby proclaim March 30, 2022, as "Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day."
IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand and caused the Great Seal of the State of California to be affixed on the 29th day of March 2022.
Gavin Newsom
Governor of California
ATTEST:
SHIRLEY N. WEBER, Ph.D.
Secretary of State
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