The National Home has partnered with the Vietnam War 50th Anniversary Commemoration to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam veterans and their families. The National Home’s Board of Trustees boasts several Vietnam veterans, and we took a moment to recognize them at the February Board Meeting. Mike McGrath, Sam Compton, Keith Harmon, VFW Senior Vice Commander-in-Chief (sitting in for VFW Commander-In-Chief, Brian Duffy), Ron Stensland, Dave Ouellette, Tom Tweet, and Garry Goff are all valued members of the Board of Trustees and veterans of the Vietnam War. Vietnam veteran, VFW Adjutant General Bob Wallace, was also acknowledged, but unable to attend.

The National Home also recognized Vietnam veterans and their families during Illinois Day and Indiana Day in September of 2016, and we look forward to continuing this at future events. In 2008, the National Defense Authorization Act authorized the Secretary of Defense to conduct a program to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. This program’s objectives are: 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. 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. We are proud to be a part of this program, and we look forward to incorporating its objectives into campus programs and events throughout the year.