IDVA Encourages Iowans to Honor National Vietnam Veterans Day March 29th, & Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day May 14th

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Photo of Iowa Vietnam War Memorial Wall

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CAMP DODGE, Ia. -- Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (IDVA) reminds all Iowans they are encouraged to recognize National Vietnam Veterans Day March 29th, to take part in local ceremonies where they can, and mark their calendars for Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Thursday, May 14th, at 11 a.m., at the Iowa Vietnam Memorial Wall on the south State Capitol Grounds.

The State of Iowa Official commemoration of Vietnam Veterans pre-dates the national observance by a decade, but Iowa veterans are welcome to observe both days. Sponsored by IDVA and Central Iowa VA Health Care System (CIVAHCS) this year will mark the 19th Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day.

In 2007, Iowa legislators designated May 7th as Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day to coincide with the official date designated by President Ford's Proclamation as the end of the Vietnam era, which is currently recognized by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs for eligibiliy of war-related veteran disability claims. National Vietnam Veterans Day was not recognized by congress or the White House until 2017 - 10 years after the state began recognizing Vietnam Veterans. The federal government chose March 29th, 1973, to coincide with the official Paris Peace Accords U.S.  withdrawal deadline, which is also the eligibility stop-date for veterans to receive the Vietnam Service Medal. 

Col. Gerry Berry

U.S. Marine Corps Col. (ret.) Gerry Berry of Des Moines, who piloted the last helicopter out of Saigon during U.S.  Embassy evacuation, was the keynote speaker for the 2025 Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day. 

IDVA
This year's keynote speaker will be Dr. Craig R. Saunders of Manilla, Iowa, a U.S.Air Force veteran and distinguished cardiothoracic surgeon. While serving Dr. Saunders achieved the rank as a Major.
Dr. Saunders served as Chief Flight Surgeon at McChord Air Force Base,Tacoma/ Olympia, Washington, from 1971 to 1973. McChord, home to the 318th Fighter Interceptor Squadron. played a critical role during the Vietnam War as part of the 62nd Military Airlift Command (MAC) Wing, a major support component for the conflict. 
Des Moines AMVETS Chapter 2 will host a luncheon immediately after the May 14th ceremony. 

For National Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day:

  • Search "National Vietnam Veterans Day Events near me"
  • Vietnam Veterans of America National events in Washington, D.C. (check local listings for events broadcast on The Pentagon Channel, YouTube, and other stations or streaming services).
    • 9:00-10:00: VA Ceremony at The Wall
    • 11:30: National Welcome Home Parade
    • 12:00: VVMF Wreath Laying
    • 12:45: Tribute Video Program
    • 2:30-5:00: Concert featuring Gary Sinise & Lt. Dan Band with special guests Craig Morgan, Rob Ribble and more.
  • The Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund invites you to share how you honor those who served by video or audio any time at https://www.vvmf.org/honor-vietnam-veterans/.
  • VVMF and Vietnam Veterans of America invite you to join them at Noon CST (1:00 p.m. EST) for the virtual commemoration of National Vietnam War Veterans Day on March 29th. You can join them on their website at: https://www.vvmf.org/ or on their Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/vietnamveteransmemorialfund. You may even see your video or hear your audio during the ceremony!
  • The Militarybenefits.info and VA’s Vantage Point sites also have several events and activities posted to mark the day. To stay connected and participate, please "click" on the links, and show your appreciation for our Vietnam Veterans and their families.
  • If you are hosting a local event and would like it publicized, feel free to add it to the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs Interactive Calendar at https://dva.iowa.gov/events. If the calendar won’t allow you to directly publish it, go ahead and submit your event and we’ll add it for you.

For comments or suggestions, for the March 29th or May 14th event, please feel free to email, text or call Dan Gannon, Iowa Vietnam Veterans Recognition Day Chair at gannonobx@aol.com, 515-991-5257; or contact Karl Lettow at the Iowa Department of Veterans Affairs (karl.lettow@iowa.gov).