March 24, 2018

On March 1st, Eagan American Legion Post 594 became a Registered Partner of the United States of American Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration and will be hosting events for Vietnam veterans and their families over the next three years.

This national commemoration was authorized by Congress, established under the Secretary of Defense, and launched by the President as follows:  In 2007, the 110th Congress incorporated language in H.R. 4986 authorizing the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program commemorating the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War.  H.R. 4986 was signed into law as the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2008 by President George W. Bush on January 28, 2008.  The United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration began with the Presidential inaugural event at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial (the Wall) in Washington D.C. on Memorial Day, May 28, 2012, and concludes on Veterans Day, November 11, 2025, by Presidential Proclamation.   As President Obama stated on that day, we, as a nation, will commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War over a long period of time, as many Americans served and sacrificed over that long period of time.

The Commemoration honors all United States veterans who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time between November 1, 1955 to and May 15, 1975, regardless of location. This Commemoration program makes no distinction between veterans who served in-country, in-theater, or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period.  November 1, 1955 was selected to coincide with the official designation of Military Assistance Advisory Group-Vietnam (MAAG-V), and May 15, 1975 marks the end of the battle precipitated by the seizure of the SS Mayaguez.  All who served during this defined period of time are considered Vietnam veterans.  Under this definition, the Department of Veterans Affairs estimates that today there are 6.6 million living Vietnam veterans and 9 million families of those who served during this time frame.

As a Commemorative Partner, Post 594 has committed to conducting two events or activities each year for the next three-year period with the focus being on one or more of these program objectives:

  • To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war or listed as missing in action, for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
  • To highlight the service of the Armed Forces during the Vietnam War and the contributions of Federal agencies and governmental and non-governmental organizations that served with, or in support of, the Armed Forces.
  • To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
  • To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
  • To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.

Any United States veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period of November 1, 1955 to May 15, 1975, regardless of location, is eligible to receive one Vietnam Veteran Lapel pin, as “A Lasting Memento of the Nation’s Thanks!”

The Commemoration has also established a special recognition program to honor the unique service and sacrifice for four categories of veterans and their families. Certificates of Honor are available for Post 594 to present, along with accompanying lapel pins for the following groups:

  • Former, living American military POWs from the Vietnam War as listed by the Department of Defense
  • Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of American military personnel listed as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War by the Department of Defense
  • Immediate family members (parents, spouse, siblings, and children) of a veteran who is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C. and who is not listed as missing or unaccounted for by the Department of Defense.
  • Surviving spouse, at time of death, of a veteran who served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces at any time during the period November 1, 1955 – May 15, 1975 regardless of location of service.

Post members and Vietnam veterans Frank Caldwell, Frank Russomanno, Wayne Beierman, and John Flynn are the committee members who will coordinate Post 594’s activities in support of this partnership.

Half of Post 594’s membership is made up of Vietnam veterans. That number is probably a small percentage of the total number of Vietnam veterans residing in Eagan and the neighboring cities / areas.  The post is developing ways to solicit input from residents concerning the number Vietnam veterans, and families of Vietnam veterans, in the area who are not members of the Eagan post.  This information will be needed to assure that sufficient recognition materials are available when events are held this year.  The post plans to hold at least one event in Eagan and one at the MN Veterans Home in Hastings in 2018.

For more information about the national program, please go to www.vietnamwar50th.com.

If you have any other questions for Eagan American Legion Post 594, or are interested in being recognized at one of these upcoming events, please send an email to communications@post594.org.