Tomorrow, remember the #Vietnam #veterans in your life and community with a special visit, message, card or meal on National Vietnam War Veterans Day. But remember, you don’t have to wait for March 29 to honor and support #Vietnam #veterans. Every #donation made to ClothingDonations.org is resold to fund valuable veterans programs. That means that even as you improve your life and space by #decluttering, you can ensure that those who served have access to health care, food, housing, camaraderie and more. Fill a few boxes or bags with your unwanted #stuff and #schedule a #pickup today!
Tag: Vietnam Veterans Memorial
Have a Virtual Vietnam War Veterans Day
If you can’t find a National Vietnam War Veterans Day event in your area, you can recognize the nation’s #veterans virtually. Download a frame for your profile picture on Facebook to show that you’ve served or support those who did. Visit the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund to watch the wreath-laying ceremony at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. Take a virtual tour of the Pentagon’s Vietnam War exhibit. Or send a #Vietnam veteran you know a message of thanks and goodwill. The nation’s veterans appreciate your recognition! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Celebrate National Vietnam War Veterans Day
This may be final year of Vietnam War 50th Year Commemoration observances, but National Vietnam War #Veterans Day will continue to be observed every year on March 29. It’s an opportunity to thank and honor the nation’s #Vietnam #veterans and their families for their #service and #sacrifice, as well as recognize the contributions of the armed forces, support organizations and American citizens during the war; highlight the technology, scientific and medical advances made in that time; and recognize the contributions of the nation’s international allies. Attend an event this weekend! #NationalVietnamWarVeteransDay
Coming Together to Support Veterans
On Aug. 8, hundreds of officials and members of the Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) will convene in Orlando, Fla., for the 2023 VVA Annual Convention. At first glance, the five-day show looks like any national conference. The difference? It’s entirely staged by — and dedicated to — veterans.
Homer Hickam, the best-selling author of the memoir Rocket Boys (the source material for the movie October Sky) will keynote the show. Hickam received the VVA Excellence in the Arts Award in 2011 and will sign copies of his latest book, Don’t Blow Yourself Up!, a memoir of his tour of duty in Vietnam.
VVA will also honor several individuals for their commitment to the nation’s veterans. Harvey Pratt, creator of the Warrior’s Circle of Honor at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian in Washington, D.C., will receive the Excellence in Arts Award.
Jan Scruggs, founder of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund and chief promoter of the Vietnam Memorial, will receive VVA’s Lifetime Achievement Award. And Laurel Lea Schaefer-Bozoukoff — Miss America 1972 and a cast member of the primetime soap Falcon Crest — will receive the VVA President’s Award for Supporting the Troops in Vietnam for her USO tour and enduring support.
The convention isn’t just speeches, awards and celebrations, though. This is where VVA plans the next steps to #help #veterans of every U.S. conflict. Dedicated committees will discuss proposed resolutions on a laundry list of veterans issues, including Agent Orange, POW/MIAs, PTSD and substance abuse, veterans benefits, health care, homelessness and more.
Committees will meet to discuss the special concerns of women, minority and incarcerated veterans. And the conference will feature a Veterans Mall, where dozens of vendors supporting veterans in living their lives to the fullest will show off their products and services.
As we prepare for the annual event, VVA would like to thank the readers of The Organizing Blog. Your generous #donations to ClothingDonations.org help fund local, regional and national programming for veterans of every era, and we couldn’t host a conference without them.
VVA hopes that you will continue to support our organization in making good on its promise: “Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another.”
Honoring Those Who Served on Veterans Day
Established in the aftermath of World War I, Armistice Day commemorated the armistice with Germany, which ended the war on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. Renamed in 1954, the holiday has expanded to recognize military veterans from every U.S. conflict as #Veterans Day.
Events around the country will feature parades, speakers and moments of silence in recognition of veterans. One of the biggest this year will be held at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., on Nov. 11 to mark the 40th anniversary of the dedication of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) will stage a “Massing of the Colors” at The Wall in the run-up to the main ceremony, bringing color guards from chapters and state councils across the country to salute to veterans lost and surviving. VVA will also participate in one of the largest annual ceremonies, the annual wreath-laying at Arlington National Cemetery in Virginia.
Companies employing veterans can get in on the act, Military.com says, by treating them to lunch, recognizing their sacrifice in a company newsletter, sharing stories of their service with clients and vendors, recognizing their families, or engaging in a day of community service on veterans’ behalf. Contact a local veterans service organization (VSO) to plan an event.
The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) offers a handy guide to Veterans day activities if you’d like to stage your own observance. From a full-on ceremony including guest speakers, posting of colors and Taps, to classroom activities, musical programs and poster contests, all can garner respect and #honor for the nation’s veterans.
You can make your Veterans Day observance more personal if you know of a friend or family member who has served. Send a card, volunteer to take them to the local parade, or invite them out to dinner in gratitude for their service. They’ll appreciate the gesture!
And remember, every #donation you make to ClothingDonations.org helps fund essential veterans programs and events like the ones mentioned above. Schedule a free, #contactless #donation #pickup today!