Virginia to Honor Vietnam Veterans with Ceremonies and Events in Richmond and Virginia Beach

The Commonwealth of Virginia will pay tribute to the service and sacrifices of Vietnam War veterans during special ceremonies and public events in Richmond and Virginia Beach on March 28 and 29 in honor of National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

On Friday, March 28, the Virginia War Memorial in Richmond will host a commemorative ceremony at 1 p.m., followed by an open house on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. These events are open to the public, with veterans and their families especially encouraged to attend.

This year marks the eighth consecutive year Virginia has officially commemorated National Vietnam War Veterans Day, observed nationally on March 29. The events are part of a broader effort to recognize the more than 200,000 Vietnam-era veterans who call Virginia home.

“Sadly, many of our Vietnam War veterans never received the thanks and appreciation they earned and deserved when they returned home to America,” said Chuck Zingler, Commissioner of the Virginia Department of Veterans Services (DVS). “This is why it remains so important that all of us join together to honor and recognize their service.”

The Richmond ceremony will take place outdoors at the Shrine of Memory – 20th Century, where the names of Virginia service members lost in Vietnam and other wars are etched in glass and stone. After the formal tribute, veterans will have a chance to share their personal stories during an open mic session.

All men and women who served in any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces between November 1, 1955, and May 15, 1975, are considered Vietnam-era veterans. Those who have not yet received the Vietnam Veteran Lapel Pin from the United States of America Vietnam War Commemoration Commission will be eligible to receive one during the event.

The Jones & Cabacoy Veterans Care Center (JCVCC) in Virginia Beach will also host a ceremony on Friday, March 28, at 11 a.m. in partnership with the Hampton Roads Council of Veterans Organizations. The event will honor JCVCC residents and area veterans who served during the Vietnam War. Due to limited space, pre-registration is required for the Virginia Beach event.

Saturday’s Open House at the Virginia War Memorial will include docent-led tours, screenings of Vietnam War documentaries in the Reynolds Theater, and more opportunities for veterans to receive the commemorative lapel pin. Many of the volunteer guides are Vietnam veterans themselves, providing visitors with first-hand insights into the era’s history and impact.

Commissioner Zingler emphasized the importance of these final events held in coordination with the National Vietnam War Commemoration Commission. “This marks the final year of the 20-year effort by the Commemoration Commission to recognize Vietnam Veterans,” he said. “Though the Commission’s program is concluding, Virginia will continue honoring these heroes annually on this important day.”

More than 1,300 Virginians were killed in action during the Vietnam War, with another 45 still listed as Missing in Action. Nine Virginians received the Congressional Medal of Honor for their heroism during the conflict and are memorialized in the Virginia War Memorial’s Medal of Honor Gallery.

All events at the Virginia War Memorial are free to attend and include complimentary parking at 621 South Belvidere Street in Richmond. For more information, visit www.vawarmemorial.org or call (804) 786-2060.