THE UNITEED STATES OF AMERICA VIETNAM WAR COMMEMORATION

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Thousands of Commemorative Partners, individual Americans, the Vietnam War Commemoration staff and the media are unifying this national initiative of thanking and honoring Vietnam veterans and their families in cities and towns across America.

• Across the nation, Americans are uniting to thank and honor Vietnam veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice.
• Our Commemorative Partners have helped communities publicly and individually thank 1.4 million Vietnam veterans and their families during 9 thousand ceremonies.
• More than 10 thousand local, state and national organizations have partnered with us to assist the nation in honoring our 7 million living Vietnam veterans and the
9 million families of those who served.

 In Accordance With Public Law 110-181 SEC.598; the 2008 National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War and "in conducting the commemorative program, the Secretary shall coordinate, support, and facilitate other programs and activities of the Federal Government, State and local governments, and other persons and organizations in commemoration of the Vietnam War."

The Secretary of Defense shall determine the schedule of major events and priority of efforts for the commemorative program, in order to ensure achievement of the objectives specified in Law.

The commemorative program will include activities and ceremonies to achieve the following objectives:

1. To thank and honor veterans of the Vietnam War, including personnel who were held as prisoners of war (POW), or listed as missing in action (MIA), for their service and sacrifice on behalf of the United States and to thank and honor the families of these veterans.
2. 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.
3. To pay tribute to the contributions made on the home front by the people of the United States during the Vietnam War.
4. To highlight the advances in technology, science, and medicine related to military research conducted during the Vietnam War.
5. To recognize the contributions and sacrifices made by the allies of the United States during the Vietnam War.

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