BATON ROUGE – Louisiana Department of Veterans Affairs (LDVA) Secretary Joey Strickland cordially invites Vietnam Veterans, friends, families, veteran service organizations, and members of the community to a “Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans” day event being held from 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. at the American Legion Nicholson Post #38 on Friday, March 29.

In the coming weeks, Americans will be uniting to thank and honor Vietnam Veterans and their families for their service and sacrifice. Each of LDVA’s veterans’ homes will also be hosting their own special ceremonies for residents that are Vietnam Veterans.

On March 29, America will observe National Vietnam War Veterans Day. This special day was added to our national holidays when the President signed into law The Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017. The LDVA will host their event on that same day at the American Legion Post located at 151 South Wooddale Drive in Baton Rouge.

As a proud partner of the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration, an organizationally-based, hometown-centric, veteran-focused program designed for federal, state, and local organizations to assist a grateful nation in thanking and honoring our Vietnam Veterans and their families where they live and work, the LDVA will be making sure that our state remembers and honors these brave men and women.

“We want to continue to echo a clear message of gratitude and respect, and offer a sincere “Welcome Home,” as we celebrate the men and women who not only fought and died, but for all those who served and returned home after the Vietnam War,” said LDVA Secretary Strickland, who is himself a decorated Vietnam combat veteran.

People from around the state are welcome to attend this celebration, including Vietnam Veterans, families, service men and women from across generations and branches of service, Gold Star families, and veteran service organizations.

Vietnam Veterans will be recognized, and will receive commemorative pins, bumper stickers, and sincere thanks from attendees and special guests.

The day’s events include an official ceremony led by local Vietnam Veterans, remarks by U.S. Marines Maj. Gen. Ronald G. Richard, a resource fair supported by area veteran service organizations, food, drinks, and Vietnam War era music.

The LDVA recognizes that our nation is forever indebted to our Vietnam Veterans and encourages everyone to come out and thank these men and women on March 29.