Gonzales Lions recall Vietnam War anniversary

Kay Bakken, regent of the Thomas Shelton Chapter of DAR, presented a program to the Gonzales Noon Lions Club on the Commemoration of the 50^th anniversary of the Vietnam War and its connection with the DAR.

Bakken presented Vietnam veterans Andy Rodriguez, Charles Villeneuve and Darrell Haug with a proclamation signed by former President Donald Trump and a commemorative Vietnam veteran lapel pin for their active duty service in the United States Armed Forces between Nov. 1, 1955 and May 15, 1975.

The most notable statement of the proclamation is “We vow to never again confuse personal disapproval of war with prejudice against those who honorably wear the uniform of our Armed Forces. With conviction, our Nation pledges our enduring respect, our continuing car and our everlasting commitment to all Vietnam veterans.”

Under the Vietnam War Veterans Recognition Act of 2017, signed into law by then-President Trump, March 29 of each year is designated as National Vietnam War Veterans Day.

The Commemoration of the 50^th Anniversary of the Vietnam War began in 2012 under then-President Barack Obama and was slated to continue for 13 years through May 15, 2025 — the 50^th anniversary of the Mayaguez incident, referred to some as the “last battle” of the Vietnam War even though it came two weeks after the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975.